Buying a house near a planned gypsy site

sxp842

Thanks for the replies everyone, was not expecting to get such a response!

Well we have all but pulled out of the purchase now. If the seller is willing to knock some money off to help us mitigate the risk, then we may still consider it.

It is tricky because planning permission has not actually been given for the site (nor has an application been put in yet). But within croydon council!!!8217;s local plan, they have proposed this site as a permenant traveller site. My understanding of the local plan is that, if someone puts in a planning application, the council have to consider it in accordance with the local plan. Which to me effectively means, that if travellers apply for planning permission, it is almost certain to go through unless some very good objections are raised. I am not sure complaints about !!!8216;local character!!!8217; and house price value would be enough. Most people I have spoken to in the area do not think the application would get approved because it would undermine the councils big regeneration efforts, but I am not too sure whether to believe this.

However, we would not be looking to sell for 10 years or so and I would have thought a permanent site is safer bet than a temporary site.

So, in short, there is a chance it could turn out ok if we bought it. But it is still very much a risk, and probably not one we are willing to take (especially at full asking price).

Out of interest though - if the site went ahead, I do not understand how any prospective buyers in the future would find out about the site? Unless they asked the neighbours or knew the local area? A permanent site would not show up on searches. I only found out about the site because I spoke to the neighbours

victoriavictorious

sxp842 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone, was not expecting to get such a response!

Well we have all but pulled out of the purchase now. If the seller is willing to knock some money off to help us mitigate the risk, then we may still consider it.

It is tricky because planning permission has not actually been given for the site (nor has an application been put in yet). But within croydon council!!!8217;s local plan, they have proposed this site as a permenant traveller site. My understanding of the local plan is that, if someone puts in a planning application, the council have to consider it in accordance with the local plan. Which to me effectively means, that if travellers apply for planning permission, it is almost certain to go through unless some very good objections are raised. I am not sure complaints about !!!8216;local character!!!8217; and house price value would be enough. Most people I have spoken to in the area do not think the application would get approved because it would undermine the councils big regeneration efforts, but I am not too sure whether to believe this.

However, we would not be looking to sell for 10 years or so and I would have thought a permanent site is safer bet than a temporary site.

So, in short, there is a chance it could turn out ok if we bought it. But it is still very much a risk, and probably not one we are willing to take (especially at full asking price).

Out of interest though - if the site went ahead, I do not understand how any prospective buyers in the future would find out about the site? Unless they asked the neighbours or knew the local area? A permanent site would not show up on searches. I only found out about the site because I spoke to the neighbours

This has to be a wind-up.
Anyone with a modicum of common sense would do their research and find out - as you yourself have done (and as I certainly would) - before spending what I'm guessing to be the thick end of half a million.
They wouldn't even need to try very hard either, as there are also websites you can Google in seconds that show every traveller site in the UK.
Going ahead and then hoping that any future buyer won't discover the traveller site - or plans for one - at the end of the road is naive at best and is not going to end well for you.
You have been given good advice on here from people who know what they're talking about and I'm not entirely sure why you even asked for it, as you still seem to be trying to convince yourself what a great idea this is.
At the end of the day it's your money, do as you think best.

pkmid

I think this is the best outcome for you. Nothing worse than being committed and it causing you alot of anguish further down the line. I'm sure something else will come up in the future.

gardner1

OP........you say you have pulled out unless the seller offers a bigger discount......well if the seller does offer a bigger discount........make sure you hear those alarm bells.......DO NOT BUY

Nasqueron

melanzana wrote: »

. I suppose the race card can be pulled by these people.

I see this magical card often mentioned by the gammon Daily Mail/Express types but no-one I have ever met who isn't white has ever found out where they get the card from. Could you let me know where people apply for this card from?

gardner1

rach_k wrote: »

You could say that about any ethnic group. 50 years ago you could say 'no Blacks'. Now we look back and realise how unacceptable that was. I don't think travellers are any different.

Oh trust me they are different....... thieving lying cheating lowlife

[Deleted User]

Would you live near a gypsy site?


I cannot believe anyone would need to even ask that.


I wouldn't live there even if the house was free.

Cheeky_Monkey

sxp842 wrote: »

If the seller is willing to knock some money off to help us mitigate the risk, then we may still consider it.

:wall::wall::wall:

Out of interest though - if the site went ahead, I do not understand how any prospective buyers in the future would find out about the site? Unless they asked the neighbours or knew the local area? A permanent site would not show up on searches. I only found out about the site because I spoke to the neighbours

They won't need to 'find out' about it if it's going to be at the end of your road. They'll be able to see and smell it for themselves!

Anyway, it's your choice and if you choose to ignore virtually all of the replies telling you not to do it, that's up to you but don't come crying to us when the camp is built and the p1keys are making your life a living nightmare.

moneyistooshorttomention

Another one that thinks potential buyers would be rather likely to find out - even if they didnt ask the neighbours.

I knew exactly which sites the city council of my home city had in mind on the one hand or travellers were trying to grab unofficially in my home city - though none of them were anywhere near my house or the area of my city I'd decided to move onto on the other hand.

It was basically pretty much common knowledge.

gardner1

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

I'm getting the feeling you're going to buy this house anyway. You're hoping for a discount but otherwise you're going to rationalize the issue away.

What's so special about this house?
Why do you want to take this enormous risk?
Even the current owners are bailing.

It could be the best run site ever, full of polite and considerate people, but at least half your future buyers are going to be deterred by it. They don't want the stigma, they don't want the increased security risk and insurance premium increases, they don't want their children directly influenced by those from an unconventional background.
There's no upside: at best it will be neutral, at worst it will negatively impact their lives.

The other potential buyers will want a discount. Of course they'll find out; in the first 30 seconds of looking they'll see it in the satellite images. And that's just if it keeps a low profile.

"Unconventional background":rotfl::T:D:beer: