Consent Order obtained to prevent further unauthorised works at The Court

The Consent Order, granted by Mrs Justice Hill of the High Court Kings Bench Division, follows the council’s application for an injunction last week. It contains undertakings made to The Court by the property’s owner and a person with control, to not carry out any works to The Court without listed building consent and to permanently remove all plant and machinery from the site. If a person who disobeys the Order or breaches the undertakings may be held to be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned or fined or have their assets seized.

The Court was built in 1911–1912 by architect J.D. Coleridge for Sir George Alexander and is a nationally recognised heritage asset due to its architectural and historical significance. The building was extensively damaged by fire in February 2025. Following reports received in July of deliberate unauthorised demolition works, the council acted swiftly and issued a legal notice known as a “Temporary Stop Notice” under the Listed Building Act 1990. The Consent Order now granted by the High Court ensures that the building will continue to benefit from the highest legal protections afforded by the Act in the longer term.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: "The Court is not just an architectural landmark — it is a part of our shared history. Let this serve as a reminder that the council will use all available legal tools to protect our historic buildings, such as The Court, and communities. We understand the community’s distress over the events of this year and will continue to do everything within our power to safeguard the building’s future."