Buying a Property but residential planning application put in for next door

[SunshineBlue]

We are buying a property and just about to exchange but found out that next door and another big house nearby have put in planning permission to demolish their properties to make way for infill of several detached houses. Therefore our new property will be overlooked and will not be quiet as it is.

We don't want to pull out but want to get a reduction in the property price to pay for double glazing to help with noise reduction etc. Will the seller be able to claim from the building developers for our reducing the price......

Our left hand boundary (currently maintained by neighbour) will then be maintained by noone as it is going to be a car park?!?

Any advice, greatly appreciated.

[buildersmate]

Avoiding this situation is exactly why Local Searches are conducted. Please ask your solicitor why this development has not come to light when you did a Local Search. Someone has messed up if this really is about to happen next door. If you didn't have a Local Search done your solicitor is possibly negligent.
I don't believe you will be able to negotiate this reduction. Your alternative choice is to withdraw from the deal.

[flyciderman]

Just to make sure everyone understands the Local Serch is provided by the council.

Could it be that the application was put in after the serch was applied for?

[SunshineBlue]

Thanks for taking the time to assist.

The planning application came to light via the vendor through our solicitor and happened AFTER the local searches.

But the question is the largest property is already earmarked in Council plans for potential residential development under the Government core strategy plans to build so many residential properties in the south-east?

Why did this not show up on our local search if done by the Council? This largest property boundary is within 250metres of our potential property??

The other two neighbours jumped on the bandwagon as they have really large gardens. As a team they have applied for planning permission - which is OUTLINING planning permission to get more money when selling to a developer who will no doubt change the plans!! I went round and spoke to this neighbour to find these things and about the (left hand) boundary which it turns out belongs to us!? The vendor (just divorced and selling the family home) seems a very traditional wife who does not know much about the building or whats going on in the area.

We have been looking for a house for two years and have already been affected by Government wanting to build everywhere. We pulled out early last year as it was going to be a 50 house development backing onto a potential house and ruin a stunning field view over to woodland.........

So it is happening to us again........... We wanted to get a good understanding of what is what as we are keen on this house as it is a good price for our budget and gives us space for a growing family.......

We aim to live here for some time but are worried about de-valuation of the property due to the development but if we are there long term it should be OK?? What could potentially de-value the property other than having more residential property next door?!

Any comments would be helpful. Cheers

[Twenty20]

Unless you're buying as an investment then are you really looking to what the value might be in 5, 10 or 15 years? Ask yourself, is it a home I would wish to live in with, possibly, new housing so close by? Only you can decide that. If it's not what you want then pull out of the sale rather than regret it later.

[rabbitygirl]

twenty20 is right. Buying a house is obviously about its suitability for you, but you have to think of the future if you want to sell and move on. It's no good saying, "well I bought it so someone else will".

Only you know how it will look when the new developments are finished. After careful thought, you're happy, go ahead.

Personally speaking, buyers are fussy so and so's and I had a lot of trouble convincing my viewers that a service road and row of garages nearby were no problem to me.

[flyciderman]

I think twenty20 & rabbitygirl have made very good points