Help Advise needed with Enviromental Search result

KeepSmiling_2

Hi, Thanks to anyone who can calm me down. I have recieved my search report from my sol today on the property my husband and I are buying. Whilst everything seems as it should be, the property has failed the Enviromental Assessment. It states there is a risk of contaminated land as the ground which the house was built on was between 1923-1938 a concrete construction works and between 1949-1965 an unspecified works.
My sol has advised us that she has contacted the Land Officer at the Local Authority for further info. But I'm panicking as to what this all might mean, should I be running a mile or is this standard as all houses are built on something! Does anyone have any experience or advise. Huge Thanks in advance!

Debt_Free_Chick

Pretty standard stuff

Your solicitor needs to make further enquiries to see if there is any risk, today, that the previous works (concrete and then "unspecified") have left a problem.

Given the time that has elapsed, I very much doubt it - especially in relation to the concrete works. It was simply too long ago (nearly 70 years!!!!).

With regards to the "unspecified" works, it really rather depends on what these were. The LA may have details of what the land was used for e.g. by looking at planning applications for using the land and/or any old Council Tax (Business Rates) records, which might show what type of business used the site.

I really can't see that you have anything to worry about, until you know more. Or, more accurately, that you currently don't know what it is you might need to worry about

KeepSmiling_2

Thanks, I needed someone to put it in perspective. From what the sol has sais this morning the Local authority should reply with their records swiftly, but then I guess you never know!. So hopefully, it should really be something of nothing.

emg

my search came back saying contaminated land due to a decommisioned industrial unit and underground fuel tanks within 25m. The solicitor and environmental surveyor made me very worried about it and led me to believe that it would affect the value and that my mortgage company could refuse to lend on it. In actual fact the mortgage company had no concerns and didnt feel the need to revalue it in light of the search findings, took them less than a day to decide that everything was fine.

The best advice I was given at the time was to think about how many people lived in that area already and had bought their homes and got their mortgages without a problem (and werent all dying of 'industrial contamination'!).

Good luck!

KeepSmiling_2

Thanks, this is exactly what my husband said, that the searches are done by looking at the historical data stored about the land, and judging by the dates of these sites I'm hoping it won't be too much of a concern. I think its just the fact it was land used for concrete works I'm worried how exactly that does affect the land But the property is in a very popular and sort after residential area which suggests that it hasn't affected other sales. I don't know, I guess its best to wait and see what the Local authority say to my sol. Many Thanks!

KeepSmiling_2

Does it just vary on each Local Authority as to how long there reply will take? All of us in my chain are ready to exchange and we're still waiting for the Land officer to reply to my sol enquiries and according to my vendors estate agents shes getting restless The whole process only started on May 4th so its not like I have dragged my feet, theres nothing I can do to speed it up, just concerned this reply might roll into weeks and weeks wait:mad:
Apologies for the rant!

KeepSmiling_2

Right report back from Land Officer to my Sol. It states that Local Authority are aware of potential contamination from previous land use...now they say gravel pit and possible land fill site, no mention of concrete works . They have said this may be a site of concern and may take further action over the coming years such as looking at other reports or maybe digging holes. They have forwarded this onto the lender for consideration on the lend. So.........

1. What are the chances of the Lender telling us to clear off?
2. If the Lender says no this is fine we can proceed, should I run a mile? Would the info affect a furture sale?

Its all so close now I am so cheesed off, any advise, Cheers

KeepSmiling_2

p.s from what i can see in the report, the gravel pit was 1883 and refuse heap 1938...I think

KeepSmiling_2

Anyone any ideas??

KeepSmiling_2

Perhaps I should just smack my head against a brick wall

KeepSmiling_2

Anybody?? Do I assume that all people that have read my post feel we should withdraw from the purchase??? Anybody ?????