Crown Prince of Dubai has left leaky Grade I listed mansion to rot say conservationists as they name it one of UK’s 10 most endangered Victorian buildings

• The Victorian Society included Shadwell Court, in Thetford in Norfolk, on list of most endangered buildings
• The mansion, originally built in the 1720s, is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• The family uses the estate as an exclusive stud farm for some of the most expensive horses in the world
• But the charity says the property has extensive roof problems which have caused severe dry rot outbreaks 

A heritage charity has accused the crown prince of Dubai of letting a Grade I listed estate fall to rack and ruin.

The magnificent Shadwell Court has been left empty since the mid 1990s and is in need of extensive restoration work.

The Victorian Society has for the first time included it on its ‘Top 10 most endangered buildings list’. 

The mansion, in Thetford, Norfolk was originally built in the 1720s.

But it is eligible for inclusion on the list due to extensive remodeling and extensions undertaken in the 1840s by Edward Blore and again in 1857-60 by SS Teulon. 

The magnificent Shadwell Court in Norfolk has been left empty since the mid-90s and is in need of extensive restoration

It now forms part of Shadwell racing stud and pre-training estate for racehorses and is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The estate houses some of the most sought-after stallions in the world.

The family can charge up to £30,000 a time to cover a mare and are used by world renowned horse breeders.

However, The Victorian Society claims the property has extensive roof problems and has long been deteriorating.

The charity claims that the family’s prize estate has been affected by severe dry rot outbreaks, caused by leaks in the roof.

Actor and Comedian Griff Rhys Jones, president of The Victorian Society, said: ‘It is both inspiring and saddening to see this list.

‘Who would have thought that a call to arms would reveal such a wealth of distinguished and absorbing architecture?

The Victorian Society claims the property has extensive roof problems and has long been deteriorating, listing it on their ‘Top 10 most endangered buildings list’

The charity claims that the family’s prize estate has been affected by severe dry rot outbreaks, caused by leaks in the roof

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, pictured left in traditional garb and right with his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, in an uncharacteristic jaunt on the Central Line

‘We are looking at real historical monuments – and yet we can only be taken aback.

‘How can a beautiful, rambling exemplary Victorian mansion like Shadwell Court lie abandoned? One would expect it to be starring in TV series not crumbling away, and in Norfolk too.’

Christopher Costelloe, director of the Victorian Society, added: ‘This year’s top ten endangered buildings is a particularly rich mix, with buildings of amazing quality throughout the country facing demolition or ruin.

‘Shadwell Court’s owner can easily afford to look after this important building properly. This major country house has been neglected for far too long and it will be a scandal if it isn’t put right soon.’ 

A spokesman for the family’s estate management firm said in the last decade more than £1.6m has been spent on the property

But the Dubai ruling family have hit back at the claims. 

A Shadwell Estate Company spokesman said: ‘Shadwell Court, of which we took occupation in 1992, is a centrepiece to the estate and since then has been a focus of investment for Shadwell.

‘Since 2008 alone we have spent over £1.66million on conservation works to maintain the building and keep it in adequate repair including, among many other things, works to renew the roofs, refurbishment works and day to day maintenance.

‘Current projects under detailed consideration include the refurbishment of an adjoining cottage and conservation works to the courtyard buildings.’

Other buildings that have made it onto this year’s list include the Queensbury Tunnel in Yorkshire, Everton Library in Liverpool and the Hulme Hippodrome in Manchester.

Al Maktoum’s greatest passion is horse racing and he is estimated to have a personal fortune of £15bn.

Source: Read Full Article