Billionaire ex-Asda board member in court battle with neighbour over 'stink'

Church Of St Lawrence
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A former Asda executive has launched a High Court case, claiming his neighbour is "legally responsible" for leaving his vast countryside estate reeking.

Manjit Dale, the co-founder of TDR Capital which owns Asda and a board member until 2023, has taken his neighbour to court over a "stinking" smell tormenting him. The billionaire alleges that his property in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, is under sieged by sewage due to a faulty septic tank on adjacent land.

He claims his neighbour is "legally responsible" for the issue, describing it as a "stinking state of affairs". The former banker says he's been dealing with approximately 2,000 litres of raw sewage flooding his fields daily. After 12 years of contention, he's now seeking justice at London's High Court.

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His neighbour, identified as Brian Abdy-Collins, stands accused by Dale of turning his beautiful home into an intolerable cesspit. According to The Sun, legal documents from Dale's lawyers state: "The walls of the three chambers within the septic tank have collapsed. Untreated sewage and effluent from the estate drainage system has been, and continues to be, continually discharged.", reports the Mirror.

"It has also been, and continues to be, observed beyond the field, flowing towards the lake on the property. The untreated sewage and effluent has resulted in strong and unpleasant sewage odours which have adversely affected the property. All in all, the estate drainage system in its current condition is manifestly not fit for purpose. It has resulted in a polluted, harmful and stinking state of affairs...and continues to give rise to a nuisance."

The magnate claims he shelled out £600,000 to rectify the problem and is now demanding that his neighbour cough up for the expenses and pay damages. His legal team said: "Over many years the Claimant has notified and complained to the Defendant about the matters."

"He has notified the Defendant of his responsibilities, and has repeatedly called on him to address and remedy the issues. Despite this the Defendant has prevaricated and has failed and declined to take any (or any sufficient and effective) action in that regard."