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Buckinghamshire Council orders bat surveys before possible compulsory purchase

8/26/2026

48 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Council Orders Bat Surveys

Buckinghamshire Council warned the owner that Mentmore Towers could be compulsorily purchased without bat surveys.
Owners must appoint a licensed bat ecologist and begin three bat-emergence surveys by August 2027.
The listed-building repairs notice was issued on 4 August 2026.
Historic England rated the tower’s condition as “very bad”.
Save Britain’s Heritage welcomed the council’s action and urged urgent repairs.

Summary

Halabi Hotel Collapse

Simon Halabi bought Mentmore Towers in 1999 to develop a 171-suite luxury hotel.
Resident Jonathan Davey secured a High Court injunction in September 2004 halting the conversion.
The High Court ruled the planning permission “unimpeachable” in March 2005.
Halabi’s property business collapsed during the housing market downturn, ending the hotel scheme.
Mentmore Towers Ltd is dormant, and the mansion has appeared in films and music videos.

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Council Orders Bat Surveys

Buckinghamshire Council warned the owner that Mentmore Towers could be compulsorily purchased without bat surveys.
Owners must appoint a licensed bat ecologist and begin three bat-emergence surveys by August 2027.
The listed-building repairs notice was issued on 4 August 2026.
Historic England rated the tower’s condition as “very bad”.
Save Britain’s Heritage welcomed the council’s action and urged urgent repairs.

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