Yeah, I got that but was then puzzling over the method of punishment and what results from it.
My guess it is about enforcing planning laws. The law says they have got to make the damage good, so the council must enforce it to avoid a bad precedent. I totally agree that the rebuilt pub will be a pointless waste.
We have a semi similar case in Bristol when parts of the
Underfall Yard were burned down. In this case the yard's insurance is paying for the repairs but it has to be rebuilt exactly as was because the buildings were listed. The arsonist is this case is now serving a life sentence.
