Grad II* listed pub destroyed by owner

[plasticpigeon]

The once rather amazing Red Lion pub in Handsworth has been put up for auction again. Unfortunately the interior of this grade II* listed pub has been totally destroyed. I have contacted English Heritage and the Victorian Society, and I am trying to get an article in the local press. I tyhink I will also contact the M. P. for the area. However I believe that the owner has committed a criminal act here. Does anyone know how this matter can be pursued further and an example made of the vandal owner who destroyed this nationally important building.

This is how it is now

http://www.masonyoung.co.uk/property/the-red-lion-270-soho-road-handsworth-birmingham-b21-9lx/

and when listed a few years ago

http://www.heritagepubs.org.uk/pubs/historic-pub-interior-entry.asp?pubid=166

 

[Zebra]

Oh my word, I see what you mean. What happened to all those tiled paintings? The panelling?!

 

[Flyfisher]

Given the G2* listing, I'd guess it's up to EH to take the lead with any action concerning unauthorised alterations. If they are not interested in pursuing such things then what's the point of listing?

 

[worms]

Dreadful. Looks like it has been stripped and sold. Wonder how much of it will turn up in some Olde English Pub elsewhere?

 

[88v8]

Yes, a criminal offence, so a complaint to the Police.

Ivor

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I've raised it with the Victorian Society, who report

The Conservation Officer from the Council & English Heritage At Risk Manager are apparently closely involved. However we will raise with the Conservation Officer on Monday for an update. We hope that the photos show the first & second floors which were largely stripped out with consent, because of dry rot etc. Thanks for alerting us.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Thanks for following this up Gareth. It seems odd to me that such extensive stripping out needed to be carried out because of dry rot etc whatever the etc is, and I didn't think it was too common upstairs unless the roof was leaking, in which case surely fixing the roof would have sufficed. Also surely the walls didn't need to go back to brick and tiling didn't need to be removed to combat dry rot. Obviously most of the original fabric has been removed from the area at the bottom of the stairs on the ground floor too, as there are photos of the same area from different angles in the links I put up. It is suspicious to me that there are no ground floor pics on the particulars. I would wager they would be incriminating. I really hope that consent wasn't granted on erroneous grounds, or worse that the owner "misinterpreted" what he/she had consent for and will be let off through pleading ignorance.

 

[MatthewC]

In this sort of case, doesn't the local council have an Enforcement Office, whose job it is? (Ours only seem to enforce things on people who have applied for something...)

 

[Matt Green]

I've raised it with the Victorian Society, who report

We hope that the photos show the first & second floors which were largely stripped out with consent, because of dry rot etc.

That's insane. Removing inorganic materials due to the presence of a wood decay fungus? More damage done there than dry rot is ever capable of.

"...but it could be in the walls! Lying dormant- waiting to strike!!"

"...yes, and?"