CAMRA pushes for Asset of Community Value vote to protect remains of 'vitally important' Crooked House

The vote, if successful would mean that the remnants of the demolished building will be protected from further damage.

The CAMRA spokesperson also went on to say that the community plays a special role in the protection of the building's remains, saying that the locals must fight to protect what is left.

CAMRA's director of pub and club campaigns, Garry Timmins, said: "The tragedy of the demolition of the Crooked House has played out across the world and CAMRA wants to see stronger national rules that require local authorities to take enforcement action where pubs are unlawfully converted or demolished.

"CAMRAis fully behind the campaign to the grounds of being registered as an Asset of Community value, as a minimum. It is vitally important that the local community take the lead, and it has the full backing of CAMRA as the leading consumer organisation."

The group has offered advice guidance to support community groups hoping to save the remains of the Crooked House, offering to work together to protect what is left.

Mr Timmins continued: "We are fully behind the local community and the local CAMRA branch and will be offering advice and guidance to support any local campaign.

"By looking after the foundations, I hope we can work together to protect the rest of the building."

The comments come as works continue on site to palletize the original bricks of the Crooked House after the South Staffordshire Council secured an agreement with contractors last week to keep the original materials on location.

The local authority said that the agreement was "positive step" for the future of the site.

CAMRA has also appealed to MP Rachel Maclean, minister for housing and planning, to take action to deter future "unscrupulous" developers and asking for illegally demolished pubs to be rebuilt "brick by brick".

The director said: "Our most recent pub closure data suggested that up to a third of pub losses may be unauthorised, meaning a pub like the Crooked House could be being converted every six days without relevant permissions.

"I have also written to Rachel Maclean MP, Housing and Planning Minister, asking for central government to take action to deter unscrupulous developers and ensure that illegally demolished pubs are rebuilt ‘brick by brick."