Crooked House public inquiry postponed – and here's why

South Staffordshire Council announced today that the planned public inquiry, which was due to be held on August 6, had been postponed following a request by the site owners ATE Farms.

The authority said the Planning Inspectorate recognised it would be 'preferable, if possible, to deal with the planning enforcement appeal following any potential separate court action relating to the fire' which destroyed the former Himley pub in August of last year.

It was demolished less than 48 hours afterwards.

The council served an enforcement notice on the owners in February requiring the building to be built back to what it was prior to the fire.

It claimed the demolition had been 'unlawful', but ATE Farms appealed the notice.

The postponement now means that the inquiry has been delayed until Spring 2025.

A spokeswoman for South Staffordshire Council said: "The council has received notification from the Planning Inspectorate that they have accepted the appellants' (ATE Farms) request to postpone the Crooked House Enforcement Notice public inquiry, which was due to be held this summer.

"The Planning Inspectorate states that it recognises it would be preferable, if possible, to deal with the planning enforcement appeal following any potential separate court action relating to the fire.

"Notwithstanding this, the inspector has noted that the inquiry should not be delayed indefinitely and has indicated that new dates will be arranged for some time in Spring 2025.

"The council has no jurisdiction over when the public inquiry will be held but will continue to keep the website updated with any further news."

To find out more details, go to sstaffs.gov.uk/planning/The-Crooked-House