Some are not as squeamish as you, Holly. For obvious reasons Jeremy Bamber had no intention of living there after the massacre he'd perpetrated, so why deny the rest of the family the opportunity. There are many houses where several people have been murdered by a family member which haven't been demolished. Even loner Dennis Nilsen's old butcher's shop hasn't, so why destroy a perfectly serviceable and attractive Grade II listed farmhouse. Spirits don't necessarily disappear even if the house does.
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-353190-white-house-farmhouse-tolleshunt-d-arcy-#.VVbwPMnf1ys
I wouldn't describe myself as "squeamish". I would not want to live in a property where 5 members of my family, albeit extended family, died in gruesome circumstances regardless of any practical implications and whether or not the property was listed. I would find it too upsetting and a constant reminder. I think most will share my sentiments.
The property didn't receive its listed status until 1987. And even if had been listed at the time this could have been overcome enabling demolition. I am sure the trustees of WHF would have been amenable to the wishes of the surviving relatives.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Taken as a whole I do not find WHF particularly attractive. I've visited numerous farms and most have long sweeping drives to the farmhouse and sit on undulating pasture land. WHF sits off Pages Lane which is a dirt track and is surrounded by flat ploughed fields. The rear of the property is quite ugly with exposed red bricks looking out on a hodgepodge of out buildings. I agree with the author who inscribed on the wardrobe door in Sheila's room "I hate this place".
As far as I can see the surviving relatives were not dependent on WHF for their livelihood or future prosperity. The fact a relative chose to set up home there is imo unfathomable. Especially set against the family's claim that JB's behaviour post murders was inappropriate and in some way indicative that he was responsible.
The former home of Nilsen apparently sold for 100k less than market value during 2013. A developer purchased it hoping to turn a 100k profit. However according to Rightmove the agent removed the property and its up for auction at 240k with a note:
"Buyers are asked to research the history of this property".
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2568523/Former-house-horrors-killing-ground-serial-killer-Dennis-Nilsen-sale-100-000-profit-despite-grim-history.htmlhttp://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27858261.htmlIn some US states a law exists relating to 'Stigmatised Properties'. I think agents in the UK have a legal duty to make potential buyers aware of anything that might affect the resale value eg the site of murders/suicide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmatized_propertyhttp://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/duty-to-disclose-selling-stigmatized-property.htmlIn the case of the Bain family home in New Zealand the house was burned to the ground two weeks after the murders:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10857352In the case of the DeFeo family home in US the house was left standing and has a long ghoulish history and continues to be the subject of box office hit movies:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2213078/Amityville-horror-house-market-owners-drop-asking-price-1-35m-955k.htmlhttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1935897/AE made meticulous notes about the smallest of detail. She makes no reference of taking delivery of new beds/mattresses so I assume the beds she remade in the twins' room, with the help of her 8 year old daughter, 5 days post tragedy were in fact the beds the twins were shot and killed in? Who exactly did she think would want to sleep in them? I understand her children suffered nightmares living there so perhaps they slept in the twins' beds? And folk talk of JB being cold, callous and exhibiting the traits of a psychopath &%+((£
http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3168.0;attach=3118