Accidentally Demolish Grade 2* Listed Building

[Jaimito]

Hello,

What would anybody recommend as a way forward if a lorry crashed into a grade 2* listed gatehouse and partially demolished it?

This while there are some works on site and the listed gatehouse is within the boundary of building works. The mentioned house was due also for some light refurbishment work.

Any comment?

Thank you!

 

[Alastair]

I think the first course of action would be to perform a citizen's arrest on the driver and the site owner if present. The driver was driving dangerously, and the site owner would be legally responsible for safety on the site, and possibly conspiring to cause damage. Once the police arrive, You can hand over the culprits.

 

[Flyfisher]

Hmm. So no possibility of it being a genuine accident then? Probably best to have just lynched the driver there and then :wink:

Thank goodness for the jury system.

 

[Nemesis]

As this is the third post here on the subject, I'm curious as to what you have actually done so far?

I presume that the insurers are involved?

 

[biffvernon]

What has English Heritages had to say on the matter? (You have been in touch with them, we presume?)

 

[middi]

Is this a classic case whereby someone loves owning a listed building as some sort of "status symbol" but not really interested in living in them as they were intended to look ?. Thinking that "accidentally" demolishing it with a lorry or a runaway JCB and then rebuild or modify as aceptable to the owner would be a very big mistake. Still, anything is possible as long as there is no fear of consequences. ( Hence criminality ).

 

[Nemesis]

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9390