A tense row has erupted between locals, the billionaire ruler of Dubai and his security guards at his £75m Surrey estate.
The historic Longcross estate, near Chobham in Surrey, was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in the 1990s as a place to escape the stifling summer heat in the Gulf.
However, locals told MailOnline of their anger at the actions of the Sheikh and his security guards after a series of recent building projects.
Sheikh Mohammed, who was embroiled in a scandal over the alleged detention of his daughter Princess Latifa, recently won a battle with local planning chiefs for the development of two semi-underground warehouses.
In planning documents seen by MailOnline, the Sheikh’s planning agents said the warehouses will accommodate items used by his entourage of nearly 300 staff.
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (pictured left) with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein
The historic Longcross estate, near Chobham in Surrey, was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed in the 1990s as a place to escape the stifling summer heat in the Gulf
Karen Hawkins says a massive fence surrounding the estate has blocked off amazing views locals used to have of the grounds
An aerial view of the site, where neighbours have repeatedly complained of excessive development amid a series of planning rows
The plans will consist of three floors with two basement levels.
Planning documents say: ‘The applicant owns and runs a large number of substantial properties in the area.
‘The proposed buildings would be for storage purposes in relation to maintenance of the estate and other properties in the applicants ownership.’
The agents go on to say: ‘The [Longcross] estate employs administrative, maintenance, gardening, security, housekeeping, stable personnel, cooks, chauffeurs etc.’
Under the plans, items that will be stored include vehicles used by the Sheikh Mohammed’s private security, agricultural machinery as well as storage for furniture from the properties on the estate.
However, flooding experts at Surrey County Council lodged a planning objection against the proposed shed over concerns about the lack of provision for the drainage of water.
Officers, who are a statutory consultee in the planning application, wrote: ‘We object to the proposed development. The proposed surface water drainage scheme does not meet the requirements set out [in national planning regulations].
‘The submitted calculations although appear acceptable for the control of surface water for the return periods simulated, do not relate to the submitted proposed drainage plan.
‘The flow control appears to be within chamber S7 according to the hydraulic calculations, but the flow control is not identified on the proposed drainage plan.
The plans for the new warehouses submitted by the Sheikh’s planning agents include two basement levels
Runnymede Borough Council has approved the plans with several conditions attached
‘Also the proposed drainage to the south of the new building could be rationalised.
‘It is unclear what will happen to the existing watercourse that appears to run along the eastern and southern sides of the new building.
‘No details of the existing watercourses on or adjacent to the site have been submitted.’
They add: ‘We are not satisfied that the proposed drainage scheme meets the requirements set out in the aforementioned documents; however, in the event that planning permission be granted by the Local Planning Authority, suitably worded conditions should be applied to ensure that the SuDS Scheme is properly implemented and maintained throughout the lifetime of the development.’
Runnymede Borough Council granted planning permission for the development last month but said the Sheikh’s planning agents should submit ‘details of the design of a surface water drainage scheme’ to them for approval before construction can commence.
Several portacabins were at centre of a planning row in 2019 over claims the billionaire had, without planning permission, installed them (pictured) on its grounds to house his servants
Fencing that has been put up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum around his estate in Surrey
The fencing has angered a number of locals because it’s appearance
Daniel Harding, 43, who lives nearby, told MailOnline: ‘There is a massive flooding risk in the area so I think any work should take that into account.
‘Cant it be left like it is? I’ve seen the Prince’s son in the area but not him. He does not engage with the locals.’
Another unnamed resident said: ‘It’s his own little kingdom. He just gets on with it.
‘I’m not sure why he would need all these warehouses.’
Margaret Parker, 66, who lives in a property just outside the estate said: ‘These new plans do not surprise me.
‘They do what they want up there. It’s a strange place. It feels like they want complete privacy but then why live in a village?
‘The guards have had issues with dog walkers going through the land on a public footpath. They don’t like that. There’s been a lot of friction and issues. It’s created a real problem.’
It comes after Sheikh Mohammed was accused of installing temporary homes for staff on his country estate without planning permission in 2019.
The document, which was submitted by a neighbour, claimed that a series of portable buildings have been put up in the grounds ‘for staff accommodation’.
It contained photographs of at least eight portable buildings which were said to have been erected more than a year ago, as well as four pagoda-style marquees set up ‘very recently’.
The letter, dated May 17, asks why there has been no planning permission for the ‘extensive permanent and semi-permanent residential accommodation modules installed’.
The concerned resident, whose name has been redacted from the files, wrote: ‘I am increasingly concerned that there is one planning law for one of the wealthiest men in the world and quite another for the rest of us.’
During the same year, he was also accused of showing ‘cynical disregard’ for planning laws by erecting the 6ft ‘prison-style’ spiked metal fence around his rate.
In planning documents submitted to Runnymede Borough Council, the Sheikh’s security contractors, Knight Security Group, said the fence was erected following a number of incidents involving members of the public.
The contractors claimed that on one occasion, someone had hurled ‘verbal abuse’ at guards.
His development company, Smech Property Management Limited, submitted retrospective applications to keep the fences which were approved
Tom Barr, who lives around the area, said: ‘The applicant has shown a cynical disregard and contempt for planning procedures’
The Sheikh’s main property in the £75m estate which is surrounded by high fencing
Karen Hawkins said he had bought several large homes surrounding the estate in recent years but they remained empty, she claimed.
The teaching assistant, 55, said: ‘It’s a real shame what has happened. The massive fence has blocked off amazing views we used to have of the grounds.
‘It was full of nature and was just amazing. No it’s an ugly fence. I understand it’s his land but we all love it. Why does he need a great big fence?
‘It’s a massive shame. Everyone has complained locally about it.
‘It’s just part of the area. I know there’s also been complaints about the security guards being employs there being over the top.’
Tom Barr, who lives around the area, wrote in planning documents: ”The applicant has shown a cynical disregard and contempt for planning procedures.
‘The new security fencing is entirely inappropriate on the border of the common.
‘The applicant has shown contempt for the planning process by continuing to build in the absence of permission and knowing it needs it, bringing RBC’s planning enforcement capability into disrepute.’
Another local claimed the development would be a ‘concentration camp’ which wasn’t ‘in keeping with the landscape’.
But he was later granted retrospective approval by Runnymede Council for the £75million security barrier condition openings are made every 90ft to allow wildlife to pass through.
Another local claimed the development would be a ‘concentration camp’
Photographs from the site appear to show the fence was already in place before planning permission was granted
Entrance to Longcross estate which is owned by the billionaire Sheikh of Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed’s greatest passion is horse-racing and he is the owner of the Godolphin stables, which has produced some of the leading thoroughbreds in the sport.
In the last 15 years, he has also transformed Dubai into one of the most modern cities in the world developing the Palm Islands, the Burj Al-Arab hotel and the Burj Khalifa skyscraper which dominates the skyline of the city.
He also helped start Emirates airlines, sponsors of Arsenal and Paris St Germain football teams.
Sheikh Mohammed has an estimated £14billion fortune and has had at least six wives, and is divorced from all but one of them, his first wife Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum.
The sheikh is also reported to have sired around 30 children.
He was engulfed in controversy following allegations in 2018 that his daughter Princess Latifa was being detained against her will in the United Arab Emirates, of whom the sheikh is vice-president.
Large numbers of warning signs are placed around the £75m Surrey estate
Runnymede Borough Council has granted planning permission for all fencing around the estate
She is reported to have escaped from the country that year, posting on Instagram: ‘My father ordered his men to ‘beat me until they kill me’. They didn’t allow me to travel or have any freedom of choice at all, I had to take it for myself.’
She was then picked up in international waters and returned to Dubai.
While Mail Online visited the area surrounding the estate to get feedback from locals, two staff members employed by the Sheik pulled up in a 4×4.
They asked our reporter what was the reason for the visit and said they were there to protect the Crown Prince because of “threats”.
One said: “We know that he has threats. He is not here at the moment.”
MailOnline have contacted the Sheikh’s property management company, Smech Properties, who run the Longcross estate for comment.
