Son of England cricket legend embroiled in £3.8m mansion row as ‘obstructive’ neighbour halted sale
The son of an English cricket legend has been embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with his neighbour over the failed sale of his £3.85million Kent estate.
Jeremy Cowdrey, 64, who is the son of 114-time capped England batsman Colin Cowdrey, claimed that neighbour Vanessa Gibson sabotaged potential sales of his sprawling country home by making false statements about the property.
He is suing Gibson for approximately £350,000, including “aggravated damages” for alleged “malicious falsehood”.
Gibson, 55, a former futures trader who is representing herself in court, denies all allegations.
The dispute, which started when Gibson claimed Cowdrey’s tennis court encroached onto her land, is set to proceed to a full trial at a later date.
Cowdrey, who worked as a stockbroker before becoming a film producer, claimed his neighbour then launched a “campaign of lies” about his property to “extract money” from him.
The 64-year-old is hoping for an injunction to stop alleged harassment and compensation for “anxiety and distress” caused by what he describes as a persistent email campaign.
Cowdrey’s barrister, Brooke Lyne, claimed that the case involves a “series of false allegations” made by Gibson.
Lyne told Central London County Court that Gibson made false claims about breaches of restrictive covenants in emails and correspondence.
The alleged false statements include assertions about ongoing flooding issues at the property.
Gibson also allegedly claimed that water and sewage services cross her land without proper rights.
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Cowdrey has also claimed that Gibson falsely suggested their previous dispute about his tennis court was still ongoing, despite it having been resolved.
The tennis court disagreement began when Gibson complained that his astroturf court “sliced through” a strip of land she owns.
Crowbourne Farm is a Grade II-listed former farmhouse set in more than 10 acres of grounds in Goudhurst, Kent.
The property features its own wine cellar, separate guest cottage, studio, barn and workshop.
It also boasts a quadruple carport, tennis court, stables, woods and two lakes.
The estate was listed for sale in June 2023 with an asking price exceeding £3.25million.
Cowdrey claimed he accepted an offer of £3.85million from a couple but they withdrew due to Gibson’s alleged interference.
He also alleged that two other potential purchasers backed out because of her “obstructive attitude”.
Gibson, who describes herself as a “very private person”, firmly denies all claims against her.
Addressing the flooding issue in court, she stated problems began in 2022 when Cowdrey “expressed concerns about the height of a lake near his property”.
She told Judge Butler that flooding affects both their properties, though it may originate elsewhere.
Gibson insisted it remains a recurring issue caused by a poorly maintained overflow in one of Cowdrey’s two lakes.
She maintains she has acted in good faith throughout and attempted to mediate any conflicts with her neighbour.
At a preliminary hearing, Judge Nigel Butler permitted Cowdrey to pursue an additional claim of “aggravated damages”.
However, the judge refused his application to increase the compensation claim to £550,000.
Judge Butler noted: “The essence of the allegation is that she behaved in this way because she was trying to extract money from Mr Cowdrey by making knowingly false allegations at a time when he was trying to sell his property in the hope that she would be paid out something by him in effect to keep her quiet.”
The full trial will take place at a later date at Central London County Court.