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Dispute over 'jungle-like' garden in west London

Katherine GrayLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageLDRS Two neighbouring residents standing beside a black iron railing outside a brick townhouse, with a window visible behind them.LDRS
Neighbours Christine Hastings and Nik Hoexter say this is not the first time Nicholas Halbritter has been told to clear the garden

A homeowner in west London is facing enforcement action over the condition of his garden that neighbours describe as "jungle-like".

Kensington and Chelsea Council has agreed to issue a Section 215 notice requiring Nicholas Halbritter to clear the land. It is the second such notice served on the property.

Neighbours say the overgrown garden has made nearby homes difficult to sell and caused long-running problems.

Halbritter is a former councillor and heads the Chelsea branch of the Royal British Legion. He has not responded to requests for comment from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

News imageLDRS Overgrown rear garden filled with dense shrubs and climbing plants, spilling over paths and growing close to brick buildings on either side.LDRS
The vegetation can be seen spilling out of the garden

They claim the site has attracted mosquitos and rodents, with vegetation spreading towards neighbouring buildings. A petition calling for action was signed by 48 residents last October.

"The knotweed is 15 feet high (about 4.5m), the rear windows are broken and there is vegetation growing into the house," said neighbour Nick Hoexter.

He told councillors the smell from a burst water pipe within the property's boundary meant he could not open a window in hot weather. He said the issue had gone unresolved for two years.

Hoexter also claimed foxes and rats had moved into what he described as a "rotting" property.

Another neighbour, Christine Hastings, said she had experienced similar problems.

She said attempts to raise concerns directly with the homeowner had failed.

"When I try to talk to him, he runs away or slams the door," she said.

"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."

News imageLDRS An older person standing indoors by a large window, with thick vegetation visible outside filling the neighbouring garden.LDRS
Nik Hoexter says vegetation is growing into the house

A report to the council said no testing had been carried out to confirm the presence of Japanese knotweed. Ward councillor Marie‑Therese Rossi told the committee this report was "fallacious".

Council officers had advised against enforcement, but councillors voted to issue a Section 215 notice at a planning meeting last week.

Kensington and Chelsea Council said concerns had been reviewed extensively across several departments. It said it would now proceed with a Section 215 notice in line with planning legislation.

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