Jeremy Cowdrey, the son of cricket legend Colin Cowdrey, is currently embroiled in a bitter legal battle with his neighbor, Vanessa Gibson.
The dispute centers around claims that Gibson’s actions sabotaged the sale of his £3.85 million property in Goudhurst, Kent, and damaged his efforts to sell the sprawling country home.
The Dispute Over the Tennis Court and Allegations of Malicious Interference
The conflict between Cowdrey and Gibson began over a disagreement regarding a tennis court located on Cowdrey’s property.
Gibson, a former futures trader, accused Cowdrey of encroaching onto land she owns with the tennis court.
Cowdrey argues that Gibson then escalated the dispute by spreading false claims, including allegations of flooding issues and complications with utility services.
According to Cowdrey, these actions were part of a deliberate campaign to prevent the sale of his ten-acre estate, Crowbourne Farm.
Cowdrey, a former stockbroker turned film producer, claims that Gibson’s conduct caused multiple prospective buyers to back out of purchasing his home.
He further alleges that her actions were motivated by an attempt to “extract money” from him.
This has led to his decision to take legal action, seeking £350,000 in damages, including aggravated damages for what he describes as “malicious falsehoods” spread by Gibson.
The Property and the Alleged Impact on Its Sale
Crowbourne Farm, a Grade II-listed property, is made up of a large farmhouse, guest cottage, studio, barn, workshop, carport, and extensive grounds that include stables, woods, and two lakes.
Despite the property being listed for sale in June 2023 with an asking price of £3.25 million, Cowdrey claims that Gibson’s interference led to a missed opportunity to secure an offer of £3.85 million.
He asserts that her actions made it difficult to finalize a deal with interested buyers.
Cowdrey’s lawyer, Brooke Lyne, presented evidence in court, arguing that Gibson’s false accusations, including claims about ongoing flooding issues and utility service problems, directly affected the sale.
Additionally, Lyne contended that Gibson falsely maintained that the dispute over the tennis court was still unresolved when, in fact, it had been settled.
Gibson’s Defense and Counterarguments
Gibson, who is representing herself in the case, denies all of Cowdrey’s claims.
In court, she argued that she has made every effort to mediate conflicts with her neighbor in good faith.
Regarding the flooding issue, she acknowledged that there had been concerns, but she insisted that the flooding problems affected both properties and originated from a poorly maintained overflow in one of Cowdrey’s lakes.
Gibson also rejected accusations of trying to extract money from Cowdrey.
She described herself as a “very private person” and claimed that her actions were motivated by genuine concerns for the properties involved, not malicious intent.
Legal Proceedings and Future Developments
The case is ongoing, with a full trial scheduled for a later date.
Judge Nigel Butler has allowed Cowdrey to pursue a claim for aggravated damages but denied his request to increase the compensation to £550,000.
The legal proceedings have brought to light the intensity of the dispute between the two neighbors and raised questions about the impact of personal conflicts on property sales.
Jeremy Cowdrey, the second son of Colin Cowdrey—who was a legendary cricketer and the first player to be made a peer—continues to pursue the case in the hope of receiving compensation for the alleged damage to his property sale.
The case remains a significant one for both parties, as they prepare for the upcoming trial.