A dilapidated £4 million Chelsea mansion, overrun by Japanese knotweed and the site of a mummified corpse discovery, has prompted the local council to take enforcement action against the owner, Nicholas Halbritter. The Kensington and Chelsea council has issued a Section 215 order requiring Halbritter to address long-standing issues at the property on Ifield Road, following protests from residents who say the neglect has affected their own home values.
Decade-Long Neglect
Concerns about the house date back to 2010, when the body of a man, later identified as a lodger named Frank, was found in the basement after neighbours climbed into the overgrown garden. The discovery was so gruesome that many of the responding officers vomited. Despite this, the property has continued to deteriorate, with rampant knotweed, rats, foxes, and a mosquito swarm from a leaking mains pipe that has been ongoing for two years.
Residents' Petition
A total of 46 neighbours signed a petition demanding action. Lead petitioner Nik Hoexter described the situation: 'There’s rampant knotweed, there’s rats, foxes, there’s a mosquito swarm from a leaking mains, which has been going on for two years. The decomposing remains of the last basement resident were removed, the windows to the street are blacked out, and to the rear, vegetation is growing into the house from broken windows. The house is rotting from the inside out.'
Councillor Marie-Therese Rossi echoed the frustration: 'Surely common sense must prevail. Direct action is needed, and this council must now act in the interest of its long-suffering residents.' Hoexter called on the council to take stronger action under Section 219 of the Act, allowing them to enter the property and undertake the work themselves, billing the owner.
Owner's Response
Halbritter does not live in the house but visits often, with neighbours noting a light on inside. One resident claimed he 'slams the door in my face' when approached about the garden. Halbritter was previously investigated by neighbouring borough Hammersmith and Fulham under a bi-borough arrangement, and a previous Section 215 notice was issued in 2016, which was considered complied with and the case closed.
A Kensington and Chelsea council spokesperson said: 'Following the decision of the Planning Applications Committee, we are proceeding with a Section 215 notice and will progress it in line with the legislation and relevant guidance. The 2016 notice – which was investigated by a Hammersmith & Fulham officer under a bi-borough working arrangement at the time – was considered complied with and the enforcement case was closed.'
