One of two pubs on the village green, The Crown has been an inn for more than 250 years and the building probably dates back to around 1600. More than three and a half years ago a thunderstorm caused a major fire which wrecked the building. Since then the building has been swathed in a scaffold and plastic tent which is now disintegrating. This has turned the centre of the village into a total mess. We have a report with pictures here.

More information on developments at the Crown as soon as we get them but the latest news seems to imply that the owners might want turn it into a block of flats!.

 The Parish Council have received the following statement from the Mid Sussex District Council about the Crown Inn, with their permission, it is reproduced below in its entirety...

The Crown Horsted Keynes – Position Statement 

Background

In July 2003 the building was damaged by fire from a lighting strike. The Council subsequently granted planning permission and Listed Building Consents as set out below:

-HK/03/2131/LBC

Retrospective application for demolition of unstable fire damaged roof frames and coverings. Removal of fire, smoke and water damaged internal fabric and finishes

-HK/03/2464/LBC

Part demolition to first floor ceiling level and reconstruction of fire damaged chimney stack to rear of property.  Part demolition and reconstruction of right hand chimney stack and gable wall.  Part demolition and reconstruction/repairs to front and rear external walls at first floor level.

- HK/04/1163/FUL

Alterations, partial demolition, refurbishment and rear/side single storey extension (rebuild after subsequent fire damage).

-HK/04/1164/LBC

Listed building consent relating to HK/04/1163/FUL.

-HK/05/1442/LBC

Alterations, partial demolition, reinstatement of rear/side single storey extension (rebuild after subsequent fire damage)

-HK/05/1443/FUL

Planning permission relating to HK/05/1442/LBC

The applicants partially demolished the pub to make it safe in accordance with the above consents, and erected a scaffold frame with shroud over it to protect the rest of the building from the elements. However, no further works have been done since then. A site meeting was held on the 17^th February 2006 with Councillors Mrs Field and Mr Hersey, Planning Officers, a representative of English Heritage and with the management company acting on behalf of the pub owners.  The owners advised that there is no immediate intention of re-building the pub. 

On the 19/10/06 a report was taken to the North Area Planning Committee to consider the options available to the Council to resolve the problem. 

Three options were considered:

1. Do nothing
2. Issue a Repairs Notice under S.48 of the Listed Buildings Act 1990
3. Issue a notice under S 215 of the 1990 Planning Act.

The Committee decided that doing nothing was not an option.  A Repairs Notice under S 48 could involve the owners requiring the Council to purchase the building and this was considered to be too significant a financial risk.  The Committee resolved to issue a Section 215 Notice.

Section 215 Notice

Such a notice can be served if it appears to the LPA that the amenity of the area is adversely affected by the condition of land (including a building).  It can only require works to remedy the adverse affect on amenity and thus cannot require works inside a building.  The notice will require the building to be rebuilt externally.

It is worth noting that the Council has no powers to require the owners to operate a pub from the building, whatever type of notice is served on them.  The best that can be expected is to repair the building.

Once a notice is served the recipients have the right of appeal to the Magistrates Court and then on to the Crown Court.  It is imperative, therefore, if the notice is not to fall at the first hurdle, that the correct procedures are carried out.  These are set out in the Act itself and the best practice guidance.

A project team has been formed involving the Councils planning, building control, legal, architect and enforcement officers.  The team has met and the initial letter has been sent to the owners.  Work has also started on the drafting of the notice.

Timescale

Because of the need to follow procedures and to have a notice that can face up legal challenge in the Courts (see appeal process above) it is currently envisaged that the notice would be served in January.  The notice has to include a reasonable period for its requirements to be completed, including arranging for builders, materials etc, and it is expected that a 6 month compliance period would be included.  An appeal, which is considered to be highly likely, has the effect of suspending the notice until such time as the appeal is decided.  The timescale for this is very difficult to predict as much depends the workload of the Courts.

Council planning officers have recently met representatives of the owners to assess the current position.  It is apparent that they would like to reuse the building for residential purposes but no application has as yet been submitted for consideration.  If such an application is received it will be publicised in the usual way and comments from local residents invited.

NR 11/12/06                                                                                                                                                  M.S.D.C