A high-flying millionaire has caused a storm in Notting Hill after installing a large electric fence around his £44.5million townhouse—without seeking planning permission.
David Walsh and his wife Jyotsna Chadha, who bought the four-storey West London property in 2023, have spent the past two years making extensive upgrades, but it’s their latest addition that has enraged neighbours and local authorities alike.
A Fox Problem or Overkill?
The couple claim the electric fence, which runs the entire length of the property’s boundary, is meant to deter foxes from digging up their garden.
Yet Kensington and Chelsea council, along with some of their affluent neighbours, have taken a very different view, describing the barrier as “fortifying the home” and making the historic street resemble a “POW camp,” while also raising concerns about public safety.
Millionaire Defends His Fortress
David Walsh, the founder of underwriting giant CFC and estimated to be worth £2.5billion, remained defiant when questioned about the fence as he charged his £110,000 electric Porsche Taycan. “It’s none of your business.
I’ve got a wife who is very, very scared of foxes—got a problem with that?” he said.
He also argued that council officers had looked at the wrong photos and insisted that their actual plan was “much more discreet,” although critics remain unconvinced.
Neighbours Divided
While one neighbour admitted, “We want him to keep it—the foxes dig up our trash too,” most were unimpressed.
Some described the barrier as “silly” and “over the top,” comparing it to fencing suited to prisoner-of-war camps rather than a leafy London street.
Others suggested Walsh might have taken the Notting Hill Carnival into account, which regularly brings crowds and anti-social behaviour to the area.
A Fence With a Confusing Warning
Adding to the oddity, the electric fence carries a warning sign typically used for livestock, including pigs, horses, sheep, cows, and deer—no mention of foxes.
Despite being installed atop the boundary wall shared with immediate neighbours, the council sees it differently.
In official enforcement documents, officers described the fence as “an unwelcome addition” that undermines the character of the street and wider conservation area.
Heritage Groups Raise Safety Concerns
Local heritage group, the Ladbroke Association, has objected to the installation, citing public safety risks.
A spokesperson argued that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) clearly requires public safety considerations to be taken into account, even for smaller developments.
The group highlighted that the area regularly hosts large gatherings, including the Notting Hill Carnival, which attracts over two million people each August.
Carnival Context Adds Weight
The carnival has long been a source of tension for millionaire residents, many of whom install temporary barricades to protect their homes.
This year, police reported 423 arrests over two days—up from 349 last year, marking the highest total since 2019.
Critics suggest that Walsh’s permanent electric barrier could pose hazards during such large events.
A Billionaire Investor in the Spotlight
Beyond his West London property, Walsh remains a significant shareholder in CFC and advises several insurance and non-insurance businesses.
His lavish lifestyle and unapologetic approach to property security have left neighbours and council officers debating whether the fence is a necessary measure or simply a symbol of over-the-top millionaire excess.
What Happens Next?
With the council considering enforcement action and local heritage groups continuing to voice concern, Walsh’s electric fence has become more than a garden quirk—it is now a lightning rod for debate about public safety, conservation, and the responsibilities of wealthy homeowners in London’s most expensive neighbourhoods.
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