The Crooked House…..

[mickd1961]

New owners are ATE Farms Ltd

Anyone know anything of them?

To add to the story there was supposed to be a band playing on the night of the fire. They were booked in before the pub closed so just seems like a terrible coincidence......the band name: Gasoline & Matches 😯

The woman whose sole director of ATE Farms husband owns the plant hire company next to The Crooked House and who’s had problems with access to his site with the previous owners of the pub!

That’s a lot of money to pay for easier access!

[Omegstrat6]

Apparently the new owners hired a digger with a contract to demolish the pub days before the fire. Obviously had no intention of doing otherwise and probably something to do with access to their quarry business. If the Crooked House was not a listed building presumably -provided they notified the council of their intentions-such an action by the new owners, however reprehensible, was not technically illegal though? Something definitely suspect but the local council would appear to have hard questions asked of them too. Just hope the story doesn't go away and that somehow funds can be raised to enable it to be reconstructed using mostly original parts of the building.

This isn't just about the Crooked House, it is about the wider issue of seeking far better protection for buildings (or indeed football grounds) that can be proven to be of local historical/cultural importance from unscrupulous developers.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Demise of the Crooked House made the news here in California. I even got asked if I knew of The Black Country

[yoonited]

Two arrested on suspicion of arson.........

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66608279

[BaggieBlood]

Two arrested on suspicion of arson.........

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66608279

Good luck getting a conviction when all and sundry have been trampling on the "crime scene" before the sniffer dog turned up.

This c??t owner has played a blinder and I this is public relations bull, as I don't know who it endangers as it a secluded building with no neighbours and the fire brigade were denied access.

Unless he makes a claim to his insurance he is OK.

[Omegstrat6]

I think the public pressure around this may be enough to get a conviction and also go someway towards establishing laws that may help prevent such actions happening to similarly culturally important buildings in the future.

As to whether the Crooked House itself can arise from its ashes to be rebuilt, whilst that would be the ultimate aim, I don't know if that will happen. The BCLM might seem an ideal new site for it but they have already said that this is not possible, although I assume that this is down to the huge costs of such a project. If the new owners are found guilty maybe they can be forced to pay for it to be re- rebuilt? I'd like to think so, but doubt it and sadly can't see any government grants or go-fund me donations raising anything like the money needed either.

[yoonited]

This story has made headlines all around the world, the justified public outcry over how this happened should ensure justice is served on those responsible. As a deterrent to anyone else ever attempting to carry out similar behaviour in future then yes, order them to get the place rebuilt.

[soulman101]

The council need to stall or block any planning application , on the tiniest detail.
What I would like to see is a weight restriction on the access road and no council or goverment contracts for their landfill.
Spot checks for health and safety.

[Titchfieldbaggie]

The council need to stall or block any planning application , on the tiniest detail.
What I would like to see is a weight restriction on the access road and no council or goverment contracts for their landfill.
Spot checks for health and safety.

HMRC to investigate all group companies.

I also believe Marstons have a moral obligation, here. They are not squeaky clean in this. It's a little like JP selling to Lai with no due diligence, for such an historic/iconic building