The Ministry of Defence is facing a multi-million pound damages claim at London’s High Court in respect of alleged noise nuisance involving a Grade I listed country estate.
Darby Dennis claims that the noise produced by harrier jump jets has ruined the peace and quiet of his family’s home at Walcot Hall, near Stamford, and has reduced the value of his home by millions of pounds.
The estate is located just two miles from RAF Wittering, which is being used as a training base for harrier pilots. The MoD contends that an airfield has been on this site since 1916, and that the family will have to put up with the noise.
But in his £9m claim, Dennis maintains that the “shattering” noise of the jets is terrifying his children and making the family’s life unbearable.
He says that the alleged noise nuisance has reduced the value of his property from £13.685m to £5.5m.
In addition to compensation for this loss of value, Dennis is also seeking £2,366,893 in respect of loss of amenity, peace, quiet, and personal enjoyment of the property. He is also claiming for the loss of any commercial opportunity to use the property for shooting parties and as a location for conferences, films, photograph shoots and social events.
The property is situated in 141 acres of gardens and grounds, and also has a 1,246 acre agricultural and sporting estate.
In its defence, the MoD says that the loss caused by the jet activity is only £2.1m, not the £5m claimed by Dennis. It also contends that damages for the loss of amenity and commercial opportunity amount to no more than £32,000.
The hearing continues.
Dennis and another v Ministry of Defence Queen’s Bench Division (Buckley J) 10 March 2003.
References: PLS News 11/3/03
