Relocation Expenses and/or compensation for devaluing property

fo1m2s3e4

I am looking for advice in relation to a new development which our North Hertfordshire District Council will likely approve based on the 40% affordable housing they are being offered alone at the Roundwood site in Back Lane, Graveley.

The plan in to build 360 dwellings nearby and:

• use our road as access road for construction traffic
• widen the road in front of our home by removing the trees and about 1.5m of grass on each side
• noise and quality of life/air - these trucks will be passing by just 3m from our bedroom for years to come
• I am also convinced that the road network cannot handle the traffic
• It took us over three years to secure a place in a school nearby and the planning proposal does not have any provisions for expansions and/or new schools.
• builders would have to park and no doubt will overflow on our already congested streets etc.

Evidently this development is creating a range of problems which will negatively affect not only the value of our houses, but also our lives.

Are there any precedents where existing residents have managed to secure any form of compensation?

kimplus8

I can't say anything constructive except- if you don't ask you don't get. Ask to be compensated and they may say yes and offer you something? If you don't ask you certainly won't get anything:-)

dc197

Since most councils won't even consider disturbance during works as a ground for denying planning permission, it is extremely unlikely that you will receive any compensation for the parking or noise during construction.

dc197

I note that at have not yet approved the development.
Rather than worrying about compensation you should be objecting to the plans based on nearly everything you said above. The disturbance during the works will likely not be considered, but the impact on schools, trees, traffic, etc will be.
Make sure you object objectively and in terms of your council's planning framework/strategy.

Mickygg

I have the same thing. Looks like planning will be given where like you the builders will be going past my house for years causing noise and pollution.
If you haven't and haven't missed the boat, then object to the deveopment in writing.
Unfortunately with the development near me they have dismissed all the objections and will proceed as the builders are apparently giving money to the village and tests show the village won't be negatively affected. Of course no one cares or thinks about those directly affected such as you and me.
The way I'm looking at it is they can't work with noise late at night, no Sunday's or Saturday afternoons so there will be quiet time in between all the dust, noise and pollution.
I feel sorry for you OP but I've not heard of compo for individuals unless they need access to or through your land.
Could you try and sell? As the work commences I assume it will be very difficult to sell until the project is complete, but while there is calm the property should look attractive? Some people aren't bothered by noise.

AdrianC

Compensation? Forget it.

But as the proposal hasn't yet been approved - you can still fight it. I doubt you'll get anywhere, because (and I'm sure you've heard about this) there are massive central government pushes for a large number of new homes to be built. Graveley is within spitting distance of Stevenage and the A1 - and Back Lane connects Graveley with Stevenage directly - so you are going to have to accept that Stevenage is growing, and it's growing in your direction.

How have your Parish Council responded to this? What does your neighbourhood development plan say?

This really should not be news to you - urban expansion was being heavily discussed when I lived in the area, 20+ years ago.