Crooked House couple accused of 'tearing down 20ft trees' at local beauty spot

11 August 2023 , 11:07

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Crooked House couple accused of 'tearing down 20ft trees' at local beauty spot

Residents who live near the owners of Britain's "wonkiest pub" claim the couple has wreaked havoc elsewhere as they "ripped down 20ft tall trees and destroyed wildlife" near their village.

It comes as Carly Taylor, who lives with her husband Adam, in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, was hit with bombshell allegations after her company ATE Farms Ltd was named as the buyer of the pub which burned down in flames.

The property, named Crooked House, was the subject of a suspected attack by arsonists. Carly and Adam are said to have purchased it just days before the blaze, which police are investigating as arson.

The couple recently faced backlash from locals after they claimed they "gutted a once thriving village pub within days of buying it" in Willey, Warwickshire. Now, residents have slammed the pair for carrying out work on two former quarries before they submitted planning applications.

The iconic pub was burnt up in flames following a suspected arson attack (BPM Media)

One resident, who is based in Dunton Basset, described the former quarry land as a "mini personal New Forest" with 20ft trees and wild orchids, reports MailOnline.

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However, the idyllic land was reportedly destroyed after the Taylors purchased it. It has been reported that complaints were lodged against proposals to construct a 35-acre solar farm and 33 holiday lodges at the Slip Inn quarry, Dunton Bassett.

A resident told Harborough district council they objected to the plans and said the "attitude to managing the countryside is wilfully dangerous and chaotic." They added: "The village was lucky to survive his [Mr Taylor's] carelessness."

Carly Taylor is the pub's newest owner

Carly has been hit with a string of allegations since the fire

Solar farm plans, which are still being considered by the council, were submitted through ATE Farms Ltd. Proposals to develop a second site into equestrian, angling and leisure facilities came under fire from residents who claimed the plans caused the "unnecessary" destruction of woodland.

In public documents on the council website, one resident said: "They went in with heavy machinery and destroyed the whole woodland." Another said: "I see he says 'sorry' in his new application. Words are easy, the damage is forever. How can you trust this applicant and what he puts forward?"

The plans have since been approved. Letting and real estate firm ATE Farms is registered to the same address as Himley Environmental, which runs a quarry and landfill site next to where The Crooked House once stood. Mr Taylor, 44, is said to be a shareholder and former director of Himley Environmental and is also reportedly a former director of ATE Farms Ltd.

The pub was completely destroyed in the fire in Himley (SWNS)

Officers have 'spoken to' and 'continue to engage with' owners of the fire-hit boozer as part of Staffordshire Police's investigation into the blaze. South Staffordshire Council is also said to be looking into possible planning breaches after the pub was bulldozed without it being "agreed or deemed necessary." The leader of South Staffordshire Council, Cllr Roger Lees, met with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street yesterday to discuss the ongoing situation regarding the site of the Crooked House.

He said: "We'd like to thank Andy Street and his team for their time in meeting with us yesterday and their full support for the approach being taken by South Staffordshire Council. Our officers continue to work to explore all options in relation to the building and planning breaches at the Crooked House.

The couple has faced backlash over the incident (Birmingham Live/BPM MEDIA)

"I want to assure all interested parties that this case is absolutely a key priority for our officers and we are committed to working in partnership with all relevant parties on this important matter. We urge people to stay away from the side and to allow the council, the police, and other agencies the space to focus on the important tasks in hand."

Monica Charsley