The former home of Sergei Skripal, where a devastating Novichok attack unfolded in 2018, is now on the market for £114,000 as part of a shared ownership scheme. The Christie Miller Road property, which has undergone extensive decontamination and refurbishment, is being offered to prospective buyers at a 30% share.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were targeted in the brazen poisoning, with Novichok smeared on their home's door handle. Miraculously, they both survived, but the incident led to the death of Dawn Sturgess, who came into contact with a discarded perfume bottle contaminated with the nerve agent.
Wiltshire Council acquired the property in 2021 and is now working with estate agents Carter & May to market it as a "chance for potential owners to establish their ideal family home on the outskirts of the city." The property boasts modern amenities, including solar panels and a spacious rear garden, about a mile from Salisbury's city centre.
Key details about the property's history are included in the listing, providing transparency for interested buyers. This is a departure from previous attempts to sell the property, which had restrictions limiting buyers to those with direct connections to Salisbury.
The shared ownership model allows buyers to purchase a percentage of the property and pay rent on the remaining share, making homeownership more accessible. For £114,000, the full market value would be approximately £380,000, providing an opportunity for first-time buyers or those with lower incomes to enter the Wiltshire property market.
Rightmove data from May 2024 shows the average house price in Salisbury was £341,858. While this particular property's shared ownership structure makes direct comparison difficult, its full market valuation aligns closely with regional averages.
The wider implications of the Novichok attack and its impact on the local community will undoubtedly be considered by potential buyers. The sale presents a unique chance for homeowners to become part of the area's history while benefiting from modern amenities and a prime location.