Would you buy this flat?

zollomusic

Hi, I hope you can help. 

We’re in the process of buying a flat in London (marked in purple). We’ve just discovered that the small hotel next door has been trying for planning permission to extend. They have purchased the building the other side of our small block and the land behind. Their proposal would literally ‘wrap’ our building (shown in plans), it would include a basement dig out too. Originally theyy submitted a 2 storey extension with basement which was refused but they’re revising now to single storey with basement, but still with a mansard roof. 

There’s little light in the back garden anyway but that would make it worse. We feel eventually these plans in some form will go through. Do you think that’s correct? 

If they extended with a flat roof I don’t think it would damage our property value, it’s just the hell of living through such a vast build. 

Would you run for the hills or fight the plans while could, then except the situation when they inevitably go through - knowing you’re in an amazing location and once it’s finished it’ll be good?

or would you run screaming for the hills? 

Thank you for any help you can offer. 

davidmcn

"In the process of buying" meaning at what stage exactly?
We really don't have enough information to form a view on whether planning will be granted (would help if you gave us more info e.g. the planning reference) but generally people aren't going to spend thousands making planning applications which are doomed to failure, so they probably think they have a good chance of it being granted in some form.
Bear in mind what counts as legitimate grounds for planning objections - disruption during construction isn't one (otherwise nothing would ever be built), affecting your property value isn't one, etc.

seradane

Ok so it's impossible for us to say what will likely happen, so all you can do is weigh up the possible scenarios. It seems to me the "worst case" scenario is that the plans as submitted (with mansard roof) get approved, you live next to a construction site for a year or more, your garden is shaded/overlooked and potential loss of value when come time to sell. Are you comfortable with that? If not, then I'd probably avoid.

The other consideration is if they don't get approval, maybe they try again in some other form, or maybe they get approval but don't build it just yet. If you are willing to put up with construction noise/disruption, great, but these things can often take a very long time to even get started, let alone finished, so this may still be a 'potential' issue years down the track and when you come to sell is likely to put off buyers. I mean, planning permission unknowns next door could happen to anyone, but best not to assume it'll be 100% sorted by the time you want to sell.

zollomusic

That’s such a good point, thank you.

Smodlet

I don't know how old your flat is, OP but, if more than 20 years, does anyone know if "ancient lights" would apply?  This is where someone has enjoyed a certain level of natural light for at least 20 years so is deemed to have the right to continue to enjoy it, thus preventing the building of any structure which would overshadow their property (as I understand it)

I imagine this is less likely to hold water in London where space is at such a premium but it might be grounds for objection to the plans; worth a try?  Only you can answer that, OP.

GixerKate

How far through the process are you?
Personally I would be seriously considering pulling out and running for the hills based on what you have shared.  If the planning gets approved, it will be a building site for ages but then when its complete what will you be living next to/surrounded by?  Is it a hotel that will have lots of wedding events etc so lots of people parking around you, loud music and general disruption in the early hours?  Will people in the hotel be able to overlook your flat?  Other thing to consider is re-sale value.  While the building works are ongoing you would likely have difficulty selling your flat and then once all complete, would that impact on your resale value?

zollomusic

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate you taking the time to share words of wisdom. Pretty sure we’re going to pull out unless they drop the price a considerable amount. Thanks again. Happy weekend 😀