ASDA'S billionaire owner is locked in a bitter war with his neighbours over raw sewage leaking onto his vast estate. Fuming Manjit Dale, 59, splashed out millions on the sprawling stately home in Lechdale, Gloucestershire. But the supermarket tycoon claims his stunning countryside idyll is being wrecked by a "stinking state of affairs". The former investment banker blames a crumbling septic tank for the row - and says his neighbour is "legally responsible". He says up to 2,000 litres of untreated sewage is currently being discharged onto a field on his land every day. Now, after fighting a 12-year battle to get it fixed, one of Britain's wealthiest men is launching legal action in London's High Court. He accuses neighbour Brian Abdy-Collins of turning their lives into a pungent nightmare - and says the value of his home has sunk as a result. In court documents obtained by Sun Online his lawyers write: "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.
"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." Dale, who is worth over £6billion and appears on the Sunday Times rich-list, claims he spent over £600,000 trying to fix the issue himself. He now wants his money back and has ordered Mr Abdy-Collins to pay damages. His lawyers add: "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." They add: "The Claimant has suffered, and continues to suffer, loss, damage, inconvenience and distress." The court documents detail how the estate drainage system serves 18 houses in the village. Mr Dale's public battle is a significant departure for the famously private businessman. He bought the home in 2010 as his private equity firm, TDR Capital, soared and had a tennis court built on the site of an orchard in the grounds. It was covered with the same blue hard court surface used in the US Open. TDR now owns 15 businesses, including David Lloyd and Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate, and collectively employs about 200,000 people in the UK. A team of 85 professionals now manage more than £13 billion of assets. But it was the £6.8billion purchase of Asda in 2021 that brought TDR out of the shadows. The bulk of the purchase was financed by issuing almost £4 billion of debt. Asda's new owners then raised £1.7 billion selling and leasing back its warehouses. But they are far from done - and now have Boots, the UK's largest pharmacy chain, firmly in their sights.
The Legal Battle
The legal battle between Manjit Dale and Brian Abdy-Collins is a case of one neighbour’s woes causing another neighbour's problems. The leaking septic tank is a major problem for Mr. Dale as the sewage is causing a pungent odour that has affected his property. Mr. Dale has spent £600,000 trying to fix the problem, and he is suing Mr. Abdy-Collins for damages. Mr. Dale's legal team argues that Mr. Abdy-Collins has neglected his responsibilities and has not taken sufficient steps to address the problem. They argue that Mr. Dale has suffered financial losses due to the decreased value of his property, and has experienced inconvenience and distress. The court documents also point out that the drainage system serving Mr. Dale's estate is linked to 18 houses in the village, suggesting a potential collective burden faced by residents.
Septic Tank Issues: A Common Problem
The sewage leakage situation is a common occurrence, and if a neighbour’s septic tank is leaking, causing problems, there are steps to take. The leakage is a nuisance, but it is also a potential health hazard. According to Citizens Advice, the severity of the leak dictates the action to be taken. If the leak is affecting the property, such as creating a damp patch or affecting the water supply, the Environmental Health Department of the local council can be contacted. The council has the power to serve notices requiring the owner to fix the problem. If the owner fails to do so, it can be a criminal offense. If the local council does not take action, the aggrieved neighbor can take civil legal action against the owner themselves.
The Future of Asda
The legal battle is a small footnote in the grand scheme of things for Mr. Dale. His firm, TDR Capital, has grown to become one of the largest private equity firms in the UK. They own 15 businesses, including David Lloyd and Stonegate, and employ 200,000 people. The firm manages over £13 billion of assets. Their acquisition of Asda, the third largest supermarket chain in the UK, is a landmark achievement. This acquisition has helped them to expand their reach and influence in the retail sector. TDR Capital is not stopping there, they have their sights set on Boots, the UK’s largest pharmacy chain. The acquisition of Boots could further cement TDR Capital's position as a major player in the UK economy.
A Pungent Reminder of The Bigger Picture
While Manjit Dale fights for his right to a sewage-free estate, the situation serves as a reminder of the realities of living in a community. The leakage affects not only Mr. Dale but also the other 18 houses that rely on the same drainage system. It is a pungent reminder that even the wealthiest of individuals are not immune to the problems of daily life, and that their actions have a ripple effect on those around them. Ultimately, the legal battle might resolve the immediate issue, but it highlights the need for better infrastructure and communication between neighbours to ensure the smooth functioning of communal spaces. This legal battle also exposes the stark contrast between Mr. Dale's immense wealth and the seemingly mundane issue at hand, making us ponder on the inequalities that exist in our society and the issues that even the most privileged face. It is a testament to the fact that life, even in a sprawling estate, can be full of unexpected and unpleasant surprises.
