Selling House with a view but new houses may be built

Gavin83

I agree with some of the others, it really depends on what stage it's at.  If the planning application has been approved, you've had letters through the door asking for objections, plans are attached to nearby lampposts etc then I'd tell them and even then only if actually asked. If they don't ask if clearly doesn't bother them that much. If it's nothing more than speculation at the moment I wouldn't mention it at all.

Ultimately don't lie but also accept it's not exactly a good sales tactic to list all the bad points, many of which are subjective anyway.

GaleSF63

BigJRock said:

2. When it looked more imminent my wife though it would put people off and thought we should put up a tall fence to cut out the view so people just buy the house for the house and not the view. She still thinks we should do this but I disagree now that it won't happen for years.

I'd really appreciate peoples thoughts on this.

If you put up a tall fence now potential buyers might think you know more about what's going to happen and when,  than you are letting on. 

BigJRock

I'm defintely against a fence, hopefully the comments on here will convince my wife it's not a good idea. I hadn't thought that a fence would actually draw attentiion to the possible dvelopment so thank you everyone.

The development is part of the council local plan and is signed off as far as the council is concerned. However, the consultaion with inspector is still going on (air quality, road infrastructure. etc) and it's been put back 5 years when it looked like they may start buidling soon.

I'll be honest if any buyer asks about it but stress it will definitely won't be for at least 5 years and could be a lot longer. I'll wait for the inspector's report and see what is announced.

TheJP

BigJRock said:

I'm defintely against a fence, hopefully the comments on here will convince my wife it's not a good idea. I hadn't thought that a fence would actually draw attentiion to the possible dvelopment so thank you everyone.

The development is part of the council local plan and is signed off as far as the council is concerned. However, the consultaion with inspector is still going on (air quality, road infrastructure. etc) and it's been put back 5 years when it looked like they may start buidling soon.

I'll be honest if any buyer asks about it but stress it will definitely won't be for at least 5 years and could be a lot longer. I'll wait for the inspector's report and see what is announced.

Have you received any information directly addressed to you about the development? Have you been involved in any consultation thus far? 

If none of the above and they ask I would just say I don't know. Unless you have been involved its up to the buyer to carry out their checks against this. 

getmore4less

Depending where it is searching for planning can be really easy as many councils now have the map interface.

You zoom in on the proposed property and you see every planning application around it.

As said local plan often gives clues.

Near us there are properties with great views they thought were pretty safe, then along came HS2..........

Sistergold

I think anyone buying in the uk without buying all surrounding land should know that the “view” might change. To be honest this is not in your control and so it’s nothing that you have the responsibility to disclose. It might or might not happen. The buyer will need to check for themselves and ask council as you can not even answer this question with certainty. For me I would not concern myself disclosing speculations. 

Noneforit999

I am of the opinion that when it comes to stuff like this, its caveat emptor. Even if you put No on the form, how would they ever prove you knew about the development?

We have some new builds going on in our village and I genuinely had no idea it was happening until the boards started to do up around the site, I don't make a habit of getting involved in business I couldn't care less about.

Sounds like you are overthinking it to me. I would stick no on the form and if they raised it, say you heard something a while ago but its up to buyer to check these things. 

badger09

If you know about the proposed development you should answer truthfully if/when asked. It is up to the purchaser & their conveyancer to find out about local development plans, whether immediate or longer term.

In Feb we moved into a bungalow with open views on 3 sides. Vendor disclosed small development and I discovered Local Plan included development to our rear, but neither is immediately on our boundary. The small development began immediately & all 9 houses now built. Access road has just started for the 2nd larger development. Both are by reputable local companies who build attractive decent quality houses. People need somewhere to live. That trumps my right to a nice open view (as long as they're not so close they can peer in my windows )

I'm with those who say anyone buying a property which currently has a view, should be aware that view could change in the future. Either buy a huge plot of land, or buy somewhere already built up.   

PS no to the fence. Enjoy your view while you can!

Slinky

Noneforit999 said:

I am of the opinion that when it comes to stuff like this, its caveat emptor. Even if you put No on the form, how would they ever prove you knew about the development?

We, like many others, had objected in writing more than once to more than one attempt to build on the field behind the houses on the opposite side of the street to us. We had a partial view between the houses, but it was more the flood risk element of the ground being built on we were concerned about. If you've objected to planning, it will be out there on the web for others to find so don't say No if it's obvious you know about it.