Is there anything we can do?

I_love_cats_2

Thanks dorset_nurse..........I think we will speak to our solicitor on Monday and that we should also do as you say and make a lower offer based on the withholding of this information. Glad to hear that your similar situation worked out ok though

dorset_nurse

No worries- there are far more things I like about the area to outweigh the new development.
Houses at the bottom of your garden is probably preferable to a car park which may be a gathering place for people or cause a security risk.
Good luck and let us know what you decide

Matt1977

I think the onus is on the buyer to find out about any future development in close proximity of the property for sale. It is then up to the Estate Agent to disclose truthfully what the plans are to the best of their knowledge.

I wouldn't be too bothered about the new housing. It may make the house less of a burglary risk if the houses are right next door. However, I would be investigating the car parking arrangements for the houses.

Cheeky_Monkey

You could always look on your local Council's website at the planning application. You'll probably find that any windows that overlook the back garden of the house you're buying must have obscured glass in them.

It will also include what the parking arrangements are for the new houses.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

poppysarah wrote: »

Offer less.

Their house is now worth less.

That's your solution to everything, isn't it?

The house isn't worth less because someone builds more houses nearby.

mufi

I_love_cats wrote: »

withholding of this information.

Unless you asked the right questions and were not told the truth, nobody witheld information. It is your responsibility to find out. BTW, standard solicitors' searches only cover the property you are buying and not surrounding area - if you wish to know about planning applications, either contact the local authority planning department or get your solicitor to do additional searcher further afield (for an extra charge).

PasturesNew

I_love_cats wrote: »

we just thought that someone (we also spoke to the vendor during the first viewing

No. It's not anybody's responsibility to tell you stuff. It's up to you to uncover any potential issues.

There are loads of (more) important things that people aren't told about, like subsidence, drugs dealers next door, house floods every 2-3 years.... loads of things.

Nobody tells you anything.

KME91

Is the house you are buying now actually worth any less to you? Is it less valuable? being objective about this, are you less inclined to hand over the amount you offered or are you just annoyed that you weren't told?

Seriously. The carpark next door - potential for late night comings and goings, a whole bunch of random people hanging about the other side of your garden fence any time day and night - is being turned into houses, so much more secure, quiet and generally safe - and you're not happy about this because....?

and this is what surveys and searches are for.

hcb42

poppysarah wrote: »

Offer less.

They accepted your offer thinknig you knew about the development.

Their house is now worth less.

There is no logic to this whatsoever.


three houses has to be nicer than a car park as well

Davesnave

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

You'll probably find that any windows that overlook the back garden of the house you're buying must have obscured glass in them.

I very much doubt it, because I know of large developments where nothing like that was stipulated in this kind of situation.

It sometimes happens that a private individual, extending into their loft etc has obscure glass stipulated as part of the permission, but that's not universal either, and it's difficult to enforce if changes are made later.

It is also sometimes difficult to assess how a new build will affect existing properties. Some years ago, I was dismayed to find that an area designated 'open space' on a developer's plans, had somehow been replaced by a three story 'execootive' house. This was next door to a bungalow I was slowly renovating. A neighbour comiserated, feeling that this huge house would reduce the value of my bungalow, but when built, our tall evergreen hedge meant its occupants couldn't 'see' our garden or patio at all. It was the same neighbour's garden, some distance away, which seemed worst affected.

OP, at the worst you can grow trees, and you may eventually feel that the extra security is a bonus.