[altacc]

You own the land but UK laws say that the local people, via the council, get a say in what happens on the land. That's just how it is and everyone who owns property in the UK knows this.

Whilst empty buildings are an issue, it is not a factor in this case. The pub was not empty, it was open & active. It was serving drinks on the Monday and demolished on the Wednesday, without even telling the staff who worked there.