Plans have been submitted to “sympathetically reinstate” a village Grade-II listed pub severely damaged in a suspected arson attack.  

The Crown Inn, in Church Street, Fordham, was operating as the Indian Garden 2 restaurant when the fire happened in August 2023.  

Two men were arrested earlier this year in connection with the incident and released under investigation  

A 63-year-old man from Cambridge was arrested in March on suspicion of arson.

A 40-year-old man, from London, was arrested in April on suspicion of arson and cannabis possession.  

The building was severely damaged by fire in August 2023.  (Image: Newsquest) Now community pub company Admiral Taverns has applied for “second stage reinstatement works” to bring the building back to life.  

Stage one involved works to the roof and chimneys. 

This latest application was submitted to East Cambridgeshire planners on Monday (November 25).  

The Crown Inn, in Fordham, is a Grade-II listed building. (Image: Black Dog / Admiral Taverns) The heritage statement submitted alongside the plans says: “The repairs seek to re-establish the structural integrity of the building, retain as much of its surviving historic fabric as posable and sympathetically reinstate the areas lost to fire.  

“The accompanying proposals do not seek to alter the structure layout or scale of the historic section of the building and therefore have a substantially positive benefit and are solely in the public interest.  

“The modern rear extension is to be reinstated in its original form pre-fire with some internal alterations to comply with current building regulations and improve the day-to-day operation of the site.  

“The works under this stage two application further look to secure the long-term viability of the public house as a community asset including enhanced local employment opportunity, diversity of amenities and social activities.” 

Illustrations submitted with the plans show the applicant's vision for the building. (Image: Black Dog / Admiral Taverns) The fire severely damaged the building and very nearly destroyed its modern extension.  

Its central chimney had to be taken down to a safer height because it was deemed dangerous. 

The heritage statement adds: “The scope of works for stage two of the repairs has been well considered and seeks to retain and repair all remaining post fire historic fabric including wall and ceiling finishes.  

“All repairs are to be undertaken using traditional methods and materials in order to both minimise the impact of the works and complement the retained historic fabric.”