Fight to rebuild demolished listed pub at High Court

A council has started proceedings in the High Court against the owners of a listed 18th Century pub that was illegally demolished.

The Punch Bowl Inn in Hurst Green, Lancashire, was bulldozed by Donelan Trading Ltd after the group ignored a council decision in June 2021.

Five people were fined £70,000 for their role in knocking down the Grade II-listed building.

Ribble Valley Council is seeking an injunction requiring Donelan Trading Ltd and its owners to comply with a listed building enforcement notice.

In 2022 the owners were given a year to rebuild the pub to its original plan based on architectural records, but the deadline passed.

In March 2023 the owners and contractor Percliff were ordered to pay a range of fines and costs at Blackburn Magistrates' Court by district judge Alexander Boyd, who said the company was aware the demolition of the building was a criminal offence when it took place.

The three owners Andrew Donelan, his wife Nicola Donelan and daughter Rebecca Donelan, had told the court they were worried the building had become unsafe, adding it had become worse over time and had been broken into and targeted by arsonists.

Councillor Sue Bibby, chair of the council's planning and development committee, said: "From the outset we have tried to work with the owners of the Punch Bowl to achieve a sensitive restoration of this landmark building to its former state.

"Regrettably, at every turn, they have frustrated our efforts to resolve this matter, despite being given plenty of time to remediate the situation."

She said they had "no alternative but to seek injunctive relief through the High Court".

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