South Staffordshire Council say they are 'extremely disappointed' that following a High Court challenge, the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the Crooked House Public Inquiry will be held in abeyance.

This means that the Public Inquiry for the appeal, scheduled for 11th March 2025, will now not go ahead as planned and will likely resume when the criminal investigation into the fire at the Crooked House has been concluded.

South Staffordshire Council has worked very hard to prepare for the Public Inquiry and to defend the Enforcement Notice issued in February 2024, but has now exhausted all avenues to see this Public Inquiry go ahead as planned in March 2025.

Councillor Mark Evans, Cabinet Member for Planning and Enterprise Services, said: “It is incredibly frustrating that, despite South Staffordshire Council’s extensive efforts to hold the Planning Enforcement Public Inquiry this spring, it will now have to be delayed until the conclusion of any potential criminal proceedings.

"We know that local residents and those affected by the loss of the Crooked House will share our deep disappointment. While this decision is beyond our control, I want to reassure the public that we remain committed to doing everything in our power to progress this matter as soon as we are able to.”

For further information you can visit sstaffs.gov.uk.