The owner of the Crooked House, which was demolished soon after a fire last year, has appealed against an order to rebuild it.

The historic building (above), known as “Britain's wonkiest pub”, in Himley, near Dudley, caught fire on 5 August, just two weeks after it was sold to a new owner.

South Staffordshire Council last month served an enforcement notice on the owner, demanding the pub to be rebuilt within the next three years.

The owner has now lodged an appeal against the notice, although a date has not yet been set for the hearing.

CAMRA pub and club campaigns director Gary Timmins said: “To hear that the owner has appealed is concerning, albeit fully expected, news.

“The complete destruction of the Crooked House shocked the nation and struck a chord with the public, exposing a wider scandal of potentially unlawful pub conversions and demolitions. The appeal is a mockery of all the hard work put in by dedicated campaigners who championed the pub’s future.

“CAMRA is following the case of the Crooked House closely and believes accountability needs to be taken for the obliteration of the iconic pub. Systematic change to bolster planning policy is needed to avoid situations like this arising again in the future.”