Change planning laws to protect historic pub buildings, campaigners say

People look at the ruins of the Crooked House pub near Dudley, in the West Midlands, where floral tributes have been left in the rubble. Photograph: Andrew Fox/The Guardian

The UK risks losing a vital part of its heritage unless planning laws are changed to protect historic pub buildings, campaigners have said.

Greg Mulholland, the director of Campaign for Pubs, said the growing anger over the fire and demolition of the Crooked House pub in Staffordshire must act as a “catalyst for change” in the approach to protecting historic pubs.