A PUBLIC inquiry to determine whether the Crooked House pub must be rebuilt has been postponed until 2025.

A date had been scheduled for late summer, Tuesday August 6, to determine the future fate of the famous wonky boozer at Himley, near Dudley, after it destroyed by fire and bulldozed last August.

South Staffordshire Council had served an enforcement notice on the owners ATE Farms on February 27 ordering them to rebuild the landmark pub brick by brick within three years, but an appeal was subsequently lodged in March.

And today South Staffordshire Council has confirmed the public inquiry will now be postponed until 2025 - after any potential court proceedings - following a request from the owners of the Crooked House, who bought the 18th century building just over a week before its destruction.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council has received notification from the Planning Inspectorate that they have accepted the appellants' (ATE Farms) request to postpone the Crooked House Enforcement Notice public inquiry which was due to be held this summer.

“The Planning Inspectorate states that it recognises it would be preferable, if possible, to deal with the planning enforcement appeal following any potential separate court action relating to the fire.

“Notwithstanding this, the Inspector has noted that the inquiry should not be delayed indefinitely and has indicated that new dates will be arranged for some time in spring 2025.”

The council said it has “no jurisdiction over when the public inquiry will be held” but bosses stressed they would keep the public updated with any further news regarding the beloved pub, which developed its wonky appearance due to subsidence due to mining.

An investigation being carried out by Staffordshire Police into the circumstances surrounding the fire – which was deemed to be arson - continues.