A homeowner in west London is facing potential enforcement measures due to the state of his garden, which neighbors have described as resembling a „jungle.“
Kensington and Chelsea Council has decided to issue a Section 215 notice mandating Nicholas Halbritter to clear the property. This marks the second notice served regarding the condition of the garden.
Residents have expressed concerns that the overgrown garden has negatively impacted the sale of nearby homes and has led to ongoing issues within the community.
Halbritter, a former councillor and current head of the Chelsea branch of the Royal British Legion, has not provided any comments in response to inquiries from local reporters.
Neighbors have reported that the unkempt garden has attracted pests such as mosquitoes and rodents, with vegetation encroaching on adjacent properties. Last October, a petition advocating for action was signed by 48 residents.
„The knotweed is 15 feet high (about 4.5m), the rear windows are broken, and there is vegetation growing into the house,“ stated neighbor Nick Hoexter.
Hoexter informed council members that a burst water pipe on the property has created an unpleasant odor, preventing him from opening windows during warm weather. He indicated that the issue has persisted for two years.
Additionally, he alleged that foxes and rats have begun to inhabit what he described as a „rotting“ property.
Another resident, Christine Hastings, shared similar grievances, noting that her attempts to communicate directly with Halbritter have been unsuccessful.
„When I try to talk to him, he runs away or slams the door,“ Hastings remarked. „My husband died four years ago, and at some point, I need to sell this house. You can’t sell a house with knotweed next door – I’m completely stuck.“
A report presented to the council indicated that no testing had been conducted to verify the presence of Japanese knotweed. Ward councillor Marie‑Therese Rossi criticized this report as „fallacious.“ Although council officers had recommended against enforcement, councillors voted in favor of issuing a Section 215 notice during a planning meeting last week.
Kensington and Chelsea Council stated that concerns had been thoroughly reviewed across multiple departments and that it would now proceed with the Section 215 notice in accordance with planning regulations.
Bildquelle: Foto von JUNHYUNG PARK auf Unsplash
