A Surrey contractor has been accused of botching building work that led to one of the National Trust’s most prestigious properties being gutted by fire and the charity facing a £115m repair bill.

The grade I-listed Clandon Park, near Guildford in Surrey, caught fire in April 2015. It was one of the country’s finest examples of Palladian architecture having been completed in the early 18th century by Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni.

But the building, which was acquired by the National Trust in the 1950s and extensively restored a decade later, was ravaged by the fire which was caused by a fault on an electricity distribution board in a cupboard in the basement of the home.

Three years ago, a team led by Allies and Morrison won the competition to restore and renovate Clandon Park. The architect beat a shortlist featuring Amanda Levete, Sergison Bates, AOC, Donald Insall Associates and Diller Scofidio & Renfro and Sam Jacob.

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