A Multi-Million Pound Eyesore in Prime Chelsea
In one of Chelsea's most exclusive and affluent streets, where property prices routinely reach £4 million, a single dilapidated mansion is casting a long shadow over the entire neighbourhood. The large Victorian gault brick property, owned for more than four decades by 75-year-old Nicholas Halbritter, has fallen into a state of such alarming disrepair that it has become a source of anger and despair for residents, who blame it for crippling their own property values and leaving them trapped.
Inside the Decaying Mansion and its Troubled History
While the exterior of the house might appear relatively normal to a casual observer, the interior and grounds tell a far more disturbing story. The inside of the property shows extensive decay, and the situation reached a grisly peak some years ago when a decomposed human corpse was discovered in the basement. The discovery was prompted by complaints from neighbours about a foul odour so potent it caused a resident in a nearby bottom-floor flat to vomit.
Despite these grim circumstances, the property is not abandoned. Neighbours confirm that Mr Halbritter visits regularly. Christine Gambles, a resident of 26 years, revealed, "The owner comes and goes and sometimes you see him in the window. I have tried to talk to him, but he always runs down the road or slams the door in my face."
The Knotweed Infestation and its Devastating Impact
A primary cause of the neighbours' distress is the garden, which has been completely overrun by Japanese knotweed. This invasive plant is notorious throughout the UK for its rapid, aggressive spread and its ability to cause significant damage to building foundations and infrastructure. In this case, the knotweed reportedly grows up to 10 feet tall and has already encroached into adjacent gardens.
This infestation has direct and severe financial consequences. Christine Gambles explained the collective frustration, stating, "The whole road is saying that it is an eyesore and it is affecting the value of our houses. Who the hell is going to buy a house with knotweed in it?" The problem is compounded by other issues, including a flooded house and damaged drains that have created swampy conditions, attracting rats and foxes that nest on the premises and cause nightly disturbances.
For Christine, the situation is profoundly personal. "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," she said. "It is blighting my life. I have had to take out a mortgage at 69 years old. Nobody will buy a house when you are in a dispute with your neighbour, so I am stuck."
Nik Hoexter, a neighbour on the other side of the property for 40 years, shares her concerns. "The knotweed will be a huge problem if I try to sell," he said. "It burrows and it is very aggressive. We have a paved garden, so it is probably already underneath."
Council Action and Ongoing Frustration
The local authority, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC), has not been idle. In 2016, they issued a Section 215 enforcement notice mandating Mr Halbritter to carry out essential repairs, clear rubbish, and tackle the Japanese knotweed. After he failed to comply within the given timeframe, he pleaded guilty in 2017 and was fined.
Mr Halbritter previously attributed the neglect to being "misled" by the council and stated that his duties as deputy organiser for the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal had distracted him from property maintenance. While he initially promised to use experts to eradicate the knotweed, reports indicate he attempted to manage the problem himself before abandoning the effort entirely.
Local MP Ben Coleman has been trying to pressure the council to take further action. "I really feel for the residents," he said. "There are rats, and mould is forming on neighbours’ walls. They have tried so hard to get the council to do something. They seem to just keep making excuses for not doing what they should be doing."
However, a spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea Council stated that they have "exhausted their powers" and that the property is not in a condition that would justify further enforcement action, suggesting residents may need to pursue civil action instead.
For now, this neglected Victorian mansion remains a painful point of contention in one of London's most desirable postcodes, with its trapped neighbours seeing no immediate resolution in sight.
