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Bat surveys required
Buckinghamshire Council has served a formal listed-building repairs notice on Mentmore Towers, the Grade I-listed estate in Buckinghamshire used as Wayne Manor in the 2005 film Batman Begins, after the building’s condition deteriorated.
“The council's notice, dated 4 August, said the work is "reasonably necessary for the proper preservation"”
The notice, dated 4 August, says the owner must provide evidence within one month that a licensed bat ecologist has been appointed to conduct surveys, or the council could seek government approval to acquire the mansion subject to further legal action.
CBS News reported that the building could be placed on the market unless the owners show evidence that a licensed bat ecologist has been appointed to conduct surveys.
The BBC said the council’s notice is dated 4 August and that the work is "reasonably necessary for the proper preservation" of the building.
Deadline and inspections
The council’s notice requires the owner to carry out a minimum of three bat emergence surveys, and the BBC said those must be completed by August 2027.
Once repair work begins, the BBC reported that council and Historic England officers must be allowed to inspect it weekly, and the BBC also said the owners must demonstrate they are taking steps to appoint a contractor with appropriate experience.
LocalGov said the council’s Ecology Screening Visit Response revealed that evidence of bats was found in multiple rooms in the house, and it quoted Peter Strachan saying the owner will need to demonstrate that action is being taken to appoint surveyors within one month of the notice being served.
Save Britain’s Heritage director Henrietta Billings welcomed the council’s intervention, saying, "We welcome this action taken by Buckinghamshire Council requiring the current owner to carry out urgent and overdue repairs to this great house".
Owner and heritage stakes
Mentmore Towers is considered a Grade I heritage building, and CBS News said around 2.5% of buildings in the United Kingdom, including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, are among the Grade I-listed buildings that have been preserved.
“around 2.5% of buildings in the United Kingdom, including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London”
CBS News identified the property’s owner as Mentmore Towers Limited, which is owned by Simon Halabi, and it said Halabi was named Britain’s 14th richest man in 2007.
The BBC said Historic England describes Mentmore Towers' condition as "very bad", its vulnerability as "high", and its trend as "declining", and it said the property could face compulsory purchase if the owner does not provide evidence within one month.
Henrietta Billings urged immediate action, telling the BBC that "We urge the owners, who have owned the building for over 25 years, to step up and undertake immediate repairs".