House of Commons Debates Heritage Public Houses Bill Following Crooked House Demolition
“Nothing we do today can undo the heartbreak felt across my constituency and the wider region when the Crooked House fell, but by passing this Bill we can ensure that its enduring legacy is a legal shield that protects every beloved historic pub across England for generations to come,” Mike Wood told Parliament during the second reading of the Heritage Public Houses Bill on Friday, 16 October. The private member’s bill returns to the House of Commons to establish mandatory local authority registers for historic watering holes, closing a legislative gap that left famous local landmarks vulnerable to sudden destruction.
Parliamentary Proposals for Heritage Register and Interim Protections
The legislation sponsored by Mike Wood—who represents Kingswinford and South Staffordshire—requires local councils to maintain official registers covering any pub at least 150 years old or recognized for special heritage value. Under the proposed framework, buildings nominated for official listing would receive immediate interim protection while a formal decision is made. Councils would gain stronger powers to manage planning applications involving registered sites, though ITV News reported that the proposals would not create a blanket requirement for heritage pubs to stay open or prevent closures altogether.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has thrown its weight behind the legislative push. Ash Corbett-Collins, chairman of CAMRA, stated that the organization and its 145,000 members fully back the desperately needed bill to safeguard vital parts of community life from being converted into houses, shops, or takeaways. Wood argued that Parliament must act to ensure property owners cannot leave doors wide open for historic drinking establishments to be bulldozed on a Sunday night.
Background on the Destruction of the Crooked House in Himley
The legislative effort stems directly from the August 2023 destruction of the Crooked House in Himley, a landmark Black Country pub famed for its dramatic sloping floors caused by mining subsidence. The historic building burned down shortly after changing hands and was demolished soon after. Staffordshire Council subsequently ordered the pub to be rebuilt brick-by-brick, a directive that site owners ATE Farms Ltd. have appealed. Meanwhile, a police investigation into the fire and demolition remains ongoing, with a file having been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. No charges have yet been brought.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Heritage Public Houses Bill
What specific criteria must a venue meet to be included on the proposed heritage register?
The proposed legislation requires local authorities to maintain registers covering any public house that is at least 150 years old or recognized for special heritage value.
Does the proposed legislation stop pub owners from closing their businesses permanently?
No, ITV News reported that the rules would not create a blanket requirement for heritage pubs to stay open, but rather ensure that a building’s historic importance is formally factored into planning considerations.
What legal status does the property currently hold regarding its reconstruction?
Staffordshire Council ordered the destroyed Black Country landmark to be rebuilt brick-by-brick, though that municipal decision is currently facing an appeal from site owners ATE Farms Ltd.
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
The private member’s bill advanced to its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, 16 October, where lawmakers debated its provisions for stricter planning controls and mandatory local authority registers. Parliament will continue to weigh the proposed legal protections as the ongoing police investigation into the 2023 fire proceeds independently through the Crown Prosecution Service.
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