A staggering £15 million Grade II-listed mansion in the heart of Westminster has become the source of a surreal neighbourhood crisis, plagued by a rampant moth infestation that has spilled over into adjoining properties.
A Property Dream Turns to Dust
The historic seven-bedroom home on Ashley Gardens, a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament, was once a symbol of luxury London living. Today, it stands shrouded in scaffolding, its opulent interiors under siege from an army of clothes moths. The current owners, who purchased the property in 2021, have seen their investment dream unravel as the pests have multiplied uncontrollably.
Neighbours Living a Nightmare
The crisis has escalated far beyond the mansion's walls. Residents in the attached terrace report a living hell, with moths infiltrating their homes, destroying precious belongings, and causing immense stress. One neighbour described the relentless battle, stating, "They are in our lights, on our ceilings, and we are constantly vacuuming them up. They have destroyed our carpets and rugs."
The problem is so severe that affected households are forced to keep their windows sealed shut, even during summer heatwaves, in a desperate attempt to slow the invasion.
A History of Neglect and Legal Wrangling
This is not the first time the property has caused controversy. Its previous owner, a Kazakh oligarch, left it to fall into a state of severe disrepair, earning it the local nickname 'the doom mansion'. The current owners' ambitious renovation plans have been stalled repeatedly, first by a preservation order on a historic staircase and now by this biological onslaught.
A Desperate Sale and an Uncertain Future
With the moth problem seemingly insurmountable and relationships with neighbours broken, the owners have made the difficult decision to cut their losses. The property has been listed on the market, its description ominously silent on the insect epidemic. The listing instead focuses on its 'magnificent', 'grand and imposing' structure and its potential for a 'incredible family home'.
Estate agents involved in the sale have declined to comment on the moth situation, leaving prospective buyers to discover the scale of the challenge for themselves. The future of the majestic, yet doomed, mansion now hangs in the balance.
