Dementia Home wanting to expand into semi detached neighbour

[Deleted User]

Sorry but some of you have a weird definition of dementia and I hope to god that the OP never succumbs to it, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, as above this is purely a case of NIMBY.

KRB2725

I would have concerns about any business turning my semi detached house into an end of terrace.

I don't think it is unreasonable to be concerned about suddenly becoming attached to a commercial property, the use of said property isn't that important, I doubt I would be happy even if it were a unicorn factory.

Hedgehog99

Your neighbours aren't keen to sell anyway, so you're safe.

As for noise - your kids will be worse!

[Deleted User]

The OP has made lots of assumptions. That the extension will lead to lots of noise (from clients), that planning permission will be granted, has learned that the neighbours don't wish to sell.

Time to go back to the horses mouth (and/or visit the home as it is now, see if it really is as bad as you think), find out what they would do to minimise noise transference and what they intend to do if the neighbour doesn't sell to them.

To be honest I am surprised that such a home is able to think of expanding.., all I seem to see is reports saying there is hardly any money (only losses due to not being paid enough) for such care homes.

But if you feel this is a certainty, then you will have to sell before planning permission is granted. To be honest, as they have already come round to consult with you, they seem a responsible bunch of care home owners. I can only hope you never experience dementia in your family.

AFF8879

I would be more concerned about my house being converted to a terraced house against my will, I don't know what rights would exist here other than being able to object to the planning. It would seem very unfair to,not compensate you for the loss of value caused purely by this.

As for the care home specifically, if they are already operating and just want to expand slightly then I don't see what the issue is, it's unlikely to be much different to how it is now.

AdrianC

Ignoring any attitudes that may or may not be present, and any comments on those attitudes...

It's very simple. For this to happen, three things have be in place.

1. A deal between your neighbour and the potential purchaser. It's your neighbour's house, they can sell to whoever they wish. You have as much say in that as your neighbour has in whether you sell or not.

2. Planning permission for change of use from residential to commercial C2. You can object to that application.
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/9/change_of_use

3. Planning permission for any building work. You can object to that application.

Unless all three are in place, and the numbers work for the business, then it's simply not going to happen. Personally, I think it's a good thing that a facility such as this is thriving and can expand - far too many are experiencing financial problems, and closing, despite the fact that demand is ballooning. At some stage very soon, I'm going to need to find somewhere like this for my father.

brindlebum

Wow, quite surprised at some of the nimby accusations - it's something that would hugely affect my life and lose me tens of thousands of pounds - I've only asked for advice on whether you believe it would be allowed to go ahead. FWIW, the existing place does create a fair bit of noise and disturbance, and our old neighbours used to complain they'd find patients wandering around their garden. I wonder how happy you'd be about it happening to your house?

Appreciate the more constructive replies. I've nothing against the place expanding or against the place itself, but before this week I certainly had no wish at all to move. This is our first family home, we love living here and we've invested a fair bit - financially, physically and emotionally - in making it our home over the last three years. Now realistically we're faced with being forced to move against our will or being an end terrace alongside a commercial building that will render our house incredibly difficult to sell when we finally choose to an wipe tens of thousands from its value which we can ill afford. Either way, it's not in our hands which is very frustrating and they've said they intend to go ahead whatever our wishes.

As stated my preference would be that they buy our property as well and quite frankly I think they should pay well above market value for it, given the above and the lack of comparably sized housing in the area at a similar price.

However, I feel the gap between my valuation and their offer will depend on how likely my objection is to derail their planning application, hence my original question on whether anyone has any experience of anything similar, in particular with adjoined properties going through a significant change of use?

AdrianC

brindlebum wrote: »

As stated my preference would be that they buy our property as well and quite frankly I think they should pay well above market value for it

I thought you just said it would reduce the value of your property?

You cannot have it both ways.

...our old neighbours used to complain they'd find patients wandering around their garden

If that's still happening, then that's something the Care Quality Commission would be very interested in. If it's not still happening, then it's irrelevant.

brindlebum

Thanks, some very pragmatic advice. We've spoken to our neighbours and I think the positive is they aren't in a rush to sell up and we've agreed that the best way forward is that we communicate together throughout the process so they don't end up playing us off against each other.

brindlebum

AdrianC wrote: »

I thought you just said it would reduce the value of your property?

You cannot have it both ways.

It would reduce the value of our property, but it's their actions that would reduce it. Why should they pay me less for disrupting my life? Im not sure I understand your reasoning

AdrianC wrote: »

If that's still happening, then that's something the Care Quality Commission would be very interested in. If it's not still happening, then it's irrelevant.

I mentioned it more against those accusing me of nimbyism, but I'll certainly contact our old neighbours (who we're still in touch with and only moved in September) as part of the planning objection.