The owner of Mentmore Towers, the stately home used as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan's Batman films, has publicly challenged Buckinghamshire Council regarding a listed-building repairs notice that mandates bat surveys and masonry repairs. The council has warned that failure to comply could lead to repossession.
Mentmore Towers, a Grade I-listed mansion built between 1852 and 1854 for the Rothschild family, was served the notice last month. The notice cites deteriorating roofs, chimneys, and masonry, with Historic England describing the property's condition as 'very bad' and its vulnerability as 'high'. Photographs associated with the notice show cracked walls, broken windows, and evidence of bat droppings.
The council requires three bat-emergence surveys to be completed by August 2027, along with obtaining necessary Natural England licenses and implementing recommendations. Weekly inspections by council and Historic England officers would be required once repairs commence.
A spokesman for Mentmore, representing property tycoon Simon Halabi who purchased the estate in 1999, stated that the owner is "absolutely committed to the long-term preservation and restoration" of the property. The spokesman refuted claims that no action is being taken, asserting that "professional surveys, ecological investigations and preparatory work towards a programme of repairs and restoration are already actively progressing." The spokesman also highlighted the irony, referring to the ongoing surveys as effectively Mentmore's "own Batman team."
Disagreements extend beyond the surveys. The owners claim that the council's legal actions have led to the removal of security fencing, resulting in repeated unauthorized entries and trespass. They contend that this hinders protection efforts for the building's fabric and materials, and has necessitated numerous police interventions. Additionally, the owners question the council's stance on a temporary storage shed erected to protect architectural features and materials for restoration, arguing it is counterproductive to the goal of preserving the mansion.
Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, emphasized the council's priority: "making sure this Grade I listed building… is protected and preserved." He also noted that the council is "taking appropriate enforcement action" on works carried out without planning permission.
Simon Halabi had originally intended to convert Mentmore Towers into a luxury hotel, but these plans were halted in 2004. The company that owns Mentmore Towers Ltd is currently dormant, according to Companies House filings.
Mentmore Towers has also been a filming location for other productions, including "The Mummy Returns," "Ali G Indahouse," and "Johnny English," as well as music videos.
