Council announces changes to how local heritage assets will be evaluated following Crooked House fallout
Following the fallout from the fire which ripped through the Crooked House last month, South Staffordshire District Council has announced changes to how local heritage assets will be evaluated in the future.
In the first full council meeting since the fire, Roger Lees, the leader of the council, told councillors “August is normally a quiet month, this month of August was certainly not.”
The fire, which started on August 5 in Himley, left the Crooked House gutted.
Councillor Lees said: “Following the Crooked House fire and the demolition, the questions being asked has made me appreciate the beautiful area in which we live and the attractive countryside and with many heritage assets that need protecting.
“I believe it is not just the responsibility of South Staffordshire Council to consider local heritage assets, which are important to our residents and communities.
“I feel parish councils have responsibility to help identify and protect our local heritage and preserve this for the future.”
It is currently not known how much influence parish councils in the district will have on the identification and protection of local heritage assets.
In the coming months cabinet member Councillor Kath Perry will be explaining the details of the plan and how it will be implemented.
The leader sought to reassure residents that the council is still pursuing enforcement action.
Councillor Lees continued: “South Staffordshire District Council are using all their powers to investigate the unlawful demolition of the heritage asset alongside any breaches of planning and building control.
“The investigation regarding planning and building control breaches remain our priority and it is very important while the council is still investigating the incidents and considering our legal options and next steps we do not comment on any element of the ongoing investigation, so we do not potentially prejudice our enforcement action.”
The Crooked House was demolished less than 48 hours after the blaze.
A 51-year-old man, from Buckingham, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
He has since been released on conditional police bail while investigations continue.
The 66-year-old man and the 33-year-old man, who were previously arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, also remain on conditional police bail.
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