Legal Race To Save Tudor Era Mantel From Listed Building

Stafford Borough Council is seeking a legal injunction to stop a £5m Tudor artefact from being sold at auction, arguing that doing so breaks the law.

Seighford Hall, a Grade II Listed Building in Stafford, had several Tudor-era fixtures, most notably a large oak overmantel believed to date back to Queen Elizabeth I.

However, auctioneers and seller Andrew Potter deny any wrongdoing, claiming that the piece was found on top of a bonfire, was infested with woodworm and was purchased properly.

However, Stafford Borough Council claims that listed building consent is required to remove the artefact, and claimed that the removal and planned sale breaches the Dealing In Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003.

If found guilty, Mr Potter could potentially receive a seven-year prison sentence, but the auction firm said the removal and sale were legal and they are considering legal action against the council.

A hearing over the injunction will be heard at Birmingham Crown Court to determine whether this is a breach of listed building consent, making the removal and sale a criminal offence.

Seighford Hall was constructed in the late 16th century, and like many buildings of this era was run as a family home until the 20th century, before becoming a nursing home and eventually becoming abandoned.

After lying derelict for over 20 years, the building was purchased by First Blue Group, which published plans for a major listed building restoration to convert the grounds into a luxury hotel and spa property.

However, due to the complexity of the timber frame construction, this restoration work is currently in the pre-planning phase as they survey exactly how much damage the two decades of emptiness has caused.