Another new build thread

RoxieW

Hi all
Went to look at a Redrow new build today and had a couple of queries perhaps someone on here has experience of?

Works on the site have ground to a halt. What was going to be a huge development is now a smaller one with building grassland still to each side. What's the likely outcome of this? Will housebuilders commence works when market picks up or could the land be sold off for other uses?? Whilst it wouldnt be ideal to live close to where major building works may recommence it's not my most major concern as the house we looked at is away from this, to the front of the development which looks onto an existing development.

What is a big worry though is an area to the front of the house. There's a big dug out kind of canal type area which was originally going to be water but now they are hoping to fill it in. Trouble is, Miller homes actually own it (they have a development nearby) and dont seem to be doing anything about it as I'm sure they have bigger problems. I'm assuming that the council wont do anything about it if Miller dont bother?? Is this correct? The guy at redrow was adamant that Miller are bound by contract to sort it but I took everything he said with a pinch of salt. Worse case scenario Miller just leave it and it never gets finished and we have an eyesore running across the front of the house??

Also, the house we looked at is very nearly finished but there are still bits and pieces left undone. Tiling in bathrooms, wall sockets, appliances fitting in kitchen and carpets. Whats to stop them just not bothering to finish it off? Is it highly unlikely that that would happen? Does anyone have any experience of this?

Finally, negotiating - the house is on at £199,500. The salesguy said very excitedly that he could do us an "amazing deal" £185,000 - if we took it as is :rotfl:£190000 is we wanted carpets etc :rotfl:Honestly, he looked so expectant and hubby and I were so unimpressed I swear a tumble weed rolled past! House was originally on at £240K but I'm thinking 25% off current price so £150,000? I'm not the most ballsy person so whats the best negotiating tips??

I know lots of you will say we're stupid for even considering this but we like the house and more importantly for us, it's in a really great area with outstanding schools for our little ones. It's also - even priced as is - exceptionally good value compared to what else is available in the area. It was the forth cheapest on rightmove and the ones cheaper were extended council type houses. So there are good points to it.
I guess my biggest worry is the unfinished land directly out front.

Sorry for the long post and if anyone has any similar experience or helpful advice I'd be very grateful. Thanks.

poppysarah

If they've had permission to build houses on it once, they will get it again. (Almost certainly)

Have you got 15k deposit?

RoxieW

We have a 15% deposit.

scousethife

planing permision last 5 years, or 3 years it might be building regs? one or the other

After that all planning permissions turn into permission for processing nuclear waste and telephone mast erections

Has anyone else noticed after the media furore about big phone erections that NO ONE has actually had any problems at all.

I will of course not go down the line of cracking one off about big phone erections and 0898 premium line numbers.

andyrules

I looked in at my local Redrow sales office a few days ago. Work has ground to a halt as you say. They are not prepared to dig an ounce of soil until the customer has signed the dotted line - which means selling and renting/bridging/camping etc. This is on a semi-developed site. Now this doesn't fill me with confidence.

planning_officer

Re. 2 posts above - planning permission lasts 3 years, but that's only for the implementation of it, not the completion - as it's started, it's now valid in perpetuity.

The area to the front of the houses may be subject to a planning condition - perhaps if it's for drainage (there must be a reason for it) - then they can't just 'fill it in' - they would need to comply with whatever a condition says. If it's not subject to a condition and is a complete eyesore, then the Council cans erve a Completion Notice - they're not that commonly used, but it would require the developer to finish the works. It would only be used in exceptional circumstances (especially in current economic climate), where an unfinished development is causing a real harm to amenity.

RoxieW

thanks for the replies - the area to the front i think was an underwater stream (a covert?? not sure of the correct term?) They've dug down to it and on the site model/drawers it looks like they were going to make a feature of it. however, it seems now the plan is to pump the water out and fill it in. not redrows responsibility though - millers - and my worry is that, as the rest of the site seems to be 'down tools' it'll just get left indefinitely. It is a massive eyesore.

Anyone with experience of negotiation with a house builder with any tips? Obv the fact that the site is only semi developed with no timescale for completion is a massive negotiating tool.

hethmar

What area of the country is it Roxie?

(Do you mean culvert?)

Jonbvn

RoxieW wrote: »

thanks for the replies - the area to the front i think was an underwater stream (a covert?? not sure of the correct term?) They've dug down to it and on the site model/drawers it looks like they were going to make a feature of it. however, it seems now the plan is to pump the water out and fill it in. not redrows responsibility though - millers - and my worry is that, as the rest of the site seems to be 'down tools' it'll just get left indefinitely. It is a massive eyesore.

Hi,

The correct term is culvert. Assuming it is an existing underground stream then just pumping the water out and backfilling with soil is not feasible. Where will the water go?

Without further details, this seems like a serious issue and would definitely prevent me from buying such a property. Maybe you could post a photograph?

RoxieW

Yes, culvert - that's the one. The development is in bingham, nottinghamshire - which is a really great area and the house seems great value for the area.
I'm sorry - I dont have a photo to post. There's nothing on the redrow website, unsurprisingly - as the beautiful site they had planned is still a half finished building site. But its basically a dug out, canal like area - about (at a guess) 10 ft down. You can see a small amount of water in the bottom. This is fenced off and approx 10 ft from the front door.
I did think ummm water - could that be running under the house? Could it cause problems with the foundation/damp/leaks etc? But surely there are regulations etc that they have to follow in these cases to ensure it's properly sorted?

Thanks

Jonbvn

Could be sewage or storm drainage. Can you see anything at the bottom of the trench? It is obviously essential that whatever they are constructing must be completed before you even consider making an offer. Given that the works will be done by a third party, they will have no incentive to complete them.

Since you have children, living there "as is" is out of the question.