Homeowners on a prestigious street in Chelsea are pleading with the local council to intervene in a long-running dispute with a neighbour they claim has let his multi-million pound property fall into a state of dangerous disrepair, blighting their own homes and making them impossible to sell.
A Neighbourhood Blighted by Neglect
The source of the angst is the home of Nicholas Halbritter, a former councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). For years, residents say the property has been an eyesore, but the core of the problem is a severe infestation of Japanese knotweed. This invasive plant, which can damage foundations and is a legal nightmare for sellers, now stands nearly 10 feet high in Mr Halbritter's garden.
Despite being prosecuted by RBKC in 2017 for failing to control the knotweed and remove rubbish, neighbours assert the situation has only worsened. The derelict state of the home has also become a haven for urban wildlife, with residents complaining about the constant and loud sound of mating foxes emanating from the basement.
Residents Trapped in Their Own Homes
The financial and emotional toll on residents is severe. Christine Gambles, 69, finds herself in a desperate situation. After her husband died four years ago, she could no longer afford the upkeep of her home and decided to sell after 25 years on the street. However, she is legally required to disclose the neighbouring knotweed problem, a revelation she fears will deter all potential buyers.
"The house is derelict. Foxes literally live inside it, and we see them poking their heads out of the window," said Ms Gambles. "Who the hell is going to buy a house with knotweed in it? My husband died a few years ago and I can’t afford to keep this house by myself, but I also can’t sell it. It is blighting my life."
The stakes are high on a street where flats routinely sell for over £1 million and a terraced home fetched £3.7 million just two years ago.
Council Accused of Failing to Act
Another neighbour, Nik Hoexter, who has lived beside the property for 40 years, highlighted additional issues. A broken mains pipe has been leaking for two years, creating a constant sound of running water, a swampy environment that attracts mosquitoes in summer, and dampness that threatens neighbouring foundations.
"The knotweed will be a huge problem if I try to sell. It burrows and it is very aggressive," Mr Hoexter stated. "The council did prosecute him, but they are refusing to enforce it. He just ignores them, and they don’t fine him."
Local MP Ben Coleman has joined the fight, criticising RBKC for its inaction. "I really feel for the residents. There are rats and mould is forming on neighbours’ walls," he said. "They are being derelict in their duty to residents. I don’t know why the officers are not exhausting all the powers available to deal with this."
In response, a Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesperson said: "We have met with neighbours on many occasions... There is a very high bar for enforcement action on private property and this property is not in a condition that would justify further action. Residents may wish to pursue alternative options, such as civil action."
