New primary school – added value to surrounding family properties?

housestar

There are plans to build a new primary school across the road from our property.

It will be the first school here since the original was built in 1991 and that one is heavily over subscribed with 200+ children over capacity.

We plan to move within the next 5 years and so are wondering if a very much needed new primary school adds value to the surrounding family properties? …and so should we wait for it to be built, or move before years of construction begins.

We have to travel 40 miles each day to leave and collect our son at a nearby school. Many other parents in the area travel 20-40 miles in total each day also, so it is definitely needed. But hoping it does not effect the price of the property in a negative way esp with such a large potential construction site on its way.

hazyjo

Years of construction? Wouldn't have expected it to take that long...

Can't see it being a negative while being built, but I'd be tempted to wait if possible as it will surely make it more desirable to families with young children/planning to have children, even if it doesn't add much in the way of value.

Wouldn't make any difference to me, but then I don't have them!

Jx

beecher2

I'd sell whenever suits you. I can see it adding value for those with children of school age, and potentially putting off some people who wouldn't want the noise of the bell (they're loud in new builds!), the parking problems at drop off/pick up time, and the noise of kids playing. Swings and roundabouts I think.

Better_Days

I live near (not opposite) a school and sometimes it is a real PITA. Worse is drop off/pick up times, selfish parking, and a lot of extra noise and exhaust fumes. It is all the more noticeable as we usually have very little passing traffic as the development is small and there is no through road. Things are worst when it is raining.

Parents appear to be of the opinion that as they are parking selfishly for only a few minutes then it OK - but the cumulative effect of lots of them doing it is disruptive.

I don't mind the noise from playtime - I can hear it but we are far enough away for it not to be intrusive.

It might be different if we had children, but I am glad this is a rental and (hopefully) we will be moving in a few months.

OP - The thing that would worry me most would be parking - how much of a problem it will be depends on the configuration of the area.

housestar

The road which runs between us and the new proposed school is an A road. Literally nowhere to stop unless someone were to stop in the middle of the road.

The plans don't have a new path or pavement there either, and they are saying that all traffic will be able to pull into the new estate to access the school.

Really hoping then that this would mean that we don't get effected by the traffic as I see that as the main problem with this proposal.

wiogs

housestar wrote: »

The road which runs between us and the new proposed school is an A road. Literally nowhere to stop unless someone were to stop in the middle of the road.

The plans don't have a new path or pavement there either, and they are saying that all traffic will be able to pull into the new estate to access the school.

Really hoping then that this would mean that we don't get effected by the traffic as I see that as the main problem with this proposal.

Don't for a second think that people will not do this.

Some parents dropping off and picking up kids are so selfish.

hazyjo

Does your house appeal to families or are you planning to move later cos it's small (or is it a flat?!)?

Just thinking out loud - being opposite a school, you will probably mainly appeal to young families/couples planning kids. If your house doesn't really fit that bill, I'd move before the school's built.

With many people travelling so far to take their kids to school, it'll obviously be a welcome addition - but, tbh, I wouldn't want it on my doorstep.

Also lived round the corner from a school once and it could be a nightmare at times! Cars, noise, congestion, etc (as above). Yes, you will be amazed at some people's selfishness - expect your driveway to be blocked if you have one! And don't forget the bashed cars where they try to fit into too tight a space in a rush...

Jx

onlyroz

I've lived opposite a school before and it was a nightmare. The worse thing was that they had two buses parked outside for up to an hour each morning with their engines on, pumping fumes directly into my window. And the noise at play time was horrendous - the kids seemed to spend the entire time screeching at the top of their lungs.

The road outside my son's school gets extremely congested around 8:30 in the morning - which is also when the residents are trying to get out and go to work.

So yes, there are pros and cons to living near a school - and I wouldn't let it affect your decision to move or not. Move when it's convenient for you.

retepetsir

Not sure it will necessarily add value. We're moving to a detached 3-bedroom house 100m from a primary school and it was mentioned quite definitively on our mortgage valuation survey report that the 'proximity to a local school is reflected in the price, due to noise, etc'.

We're due our first child this year so it will work for us in a few years time and really doesn't bother us too much, although time will tell. They better not start blocking our driveway!

Ellie007

I have lived by a primary school before - it was horrific. The road was completely clogged at 9am and 3pm, no-one turned their engines off so the fumes were dreadful. Driveways were blocked, cars stopped randomly (and always blocked the zigzags outside the school, which are there for the childrens safety - unbelieveable).

Two breaktimes and a lunchtime each day- lots of screaming during these occasions (Christ - can kids scream! And why? Why?!!)

Never again.

ash28

Ellie007 wrote: »

I have lived by a primary school before - it was horrific. The road was completely clogged at 9am and 3pm, no-one turned their engines off so the fumes were dreadful. Driveways were blocked, cars stopped randomly (and always blocked the zigzags outside the school, which are there for the childrens safety - unbelieveable).

Two breaktimes and a lunchtime each day- lots of screaming during these occasions (Christ - can kids scream! And why? Why?!!)

Never again.

I lived near a primary school and used to walk our grandson to and from the school every day......the parent's parking was appalling, across drives etc, abusive if anyone asked them to move their car....pulling out without looking, speeding, it was awful. Cycling (parents and children) along the footpath...and getting annoyed if you didn't leap out of their way.

You couldn't pay me to live in close proximity to a school.