A woman has found herself unable to sell her property worth over £1million because she must declare that her neighbour’s garden contains Japanese knotweed.
The knotweed at the Chelsea property has grown to nearly 10 feet in height.
Christine Gambles, 69, has lived on the Ifield Road in West Brompton, adjacent to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground, for 25 years.
However, she needs to sell after her husband’s death left her struggling to meet the property’s running costs.
She has been forced to take out a mortgage at 69 years old whilst trapped in an unsellable home.
Properties on the street command prices exceeding £1million for flats, with one terraced house fetching £3.7million just two years ago.
The derelict property has fallen into severe disrepair, with foxes taking up residence inside and regularly appearing at windows.
“The house is derelict. Foxes literally live inside it, and we see them poking their heads out of the window,” Ms Gambles said.
The row broke out on Ifield Road in Chelsea
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A burst water main has been flowing continuously for two years, creating swamp-like conditions that attract mosquito swarms during summer months.
The persistent water damage has caused mould to form on neighbouring properties’ walls.
“There has been water running constantly for two years. They could fill a swimming pool by now,” said Nik Hoexter, who has lived adjacent to the property for four decades.
Residents report hearing foxes mating in the basement and describe the property as an “eyesore” affecting the entire street.
Halbritter appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court
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The property belongs to Nicholas Halbritter, 75, who served as a councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea before being prosecuted at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court in 2017.
He pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a notice containing 10 conditions for maintaining the land, including addressing the Japanese knotweed and removing rubbish from the basement and garden areas.
Land records indicate Mr Halbritter has owned the property for more than four decades.
Residents report that despite regular visits to the property, the owner avoids all attempts at communication.
“I have tried to talk to him, but he always runs down the road or slams the door in my face,” Ms Gambles said.
Neighbours claim the problems have persisted for two decades without resolution.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea maintains it has “exhausted” its enforcement powers and cannot take further action against the property.
“Both our planning enforcement and environmental health teams have exhausted their powers and provided advice to the property owner,” a council spokesperson said.
The authority suggested neighbours pursue civil action instead, stating the property does not meet the threshold for additional enforcement measures.
Local MP Ben Coleman condemned the council’s response, drawing on his decade of experience as a councillor.
“They are being derelict in their duty to residents,” the Labour MP for Kensington and Chelsea said, adding that the authority was “just keep making excuses for not doing what they should be doing.”