Found out builders office/ yard has moved next door to a house I am planning on buying

LLM000

Hi 

Looking for some advice -

I am in the process of moving house, and have just found out that a new building company have bought a space next door for us for use as their offices/ yard for tools etc.

Previously, another building company used this space. As I am local, I had a feel for how they operated and they did sometimes take up a lot of the road with multiples vans etc but not for long periods of time. 

My concern is now that I have no idea what this new building company will be like - whether or not they will have lots of vans, make lots of noise etc. I don't want to end up purchasing this property and later learning that the builders making a lot of noise/ have a load of vans during the day etc. It would also then worry me when I come to sell the property that it may concern future buyers.

I have tried searching online for similar posts but can't find anything that quite fits my query.

What are the rules/ regulations for building yards in residential areas? Does anyone have any experience of living near/ next door to a builders yard?

Helpful advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

comeandgo

Is it a new building company or same one new name?  I would go and talk to them in their office and ask what their plans are.  Will they have deliveries of items, how many employees, do the employees go to the yard a lot?  What time does the yard open and close, will there be weekend working.  Honestly, I would never buy next to a yard and I do think you may have problems selling.

user1977

It's *possible* that it has planning permission with conditions about hours of use etc, but I wouldn't expect there to be any "rules" beyond whatever levels of noise etc being so outrageous that they constitute a legal nuisance (or would cause Environmental Health to step in).

If you choose to buy next to commercial premises such as this, you do have to take the risk of their practices, hours of working etc changing.

Titus_Wadd

You could check the other property's covenants by downloading its title from the Land Registry.  But, it is only useful to know, for example, that a company or business cannot be run from that address if you are willing to try to take expensive legal action once you have bought the house next door.

I live next door to a builder who parks his JCB and other equipment in the property which is strictly only residential with covenants prohibiting the parking of trade vehicles and storing materials etc.  We're in court at the moment with them regarding other breaches of covenants but our legal protection insurance company wouldn't cover action against the breach of the "no business" covenant.  This is because they don't feel there's a >50% chance of winning that particular action.

I'd buy elsewhere unless the house is priced so low that you'd be willing to risk it.

LLM000

comeandgo said:

Is it a new building company or same one new name?  I would go and talk to them in their office and ask what their plans are.  Will they have deliveries of items, how many employees, do the employees go to the yard a lot?  What time does the yard open and close, will there be weekend working.  Honestly, I would never buy next to a yard and I do think you may have problems selling.

It is a new company, the old company have moved to another space. Thanks for your advice, it is logical to go and speak with them. I guess I am just worried about confrontation/ creating an awkward relationship of them thinking I am a difficult neighbour if I was to go through with the move.

LLM000

user1977 said:

It's *possible* that it has planning permission with conditions about hours of use etc, but I wouldn't expect there to be any "rules" beyond whatever levels of noise etc being so outrageous that they constitute a legal nuisance (or would cause Environmental Health to step in).

If you choose to buy next to commercial premises such as this, you do have to take the risk of their practices, hours of working etc changing.

Thanks, I will see if I can find any planning permission online. Such a shame as it is a lovely area/ house ruined by a horrid builders yard in the middle of it all!

MultiFuelBurner

7am-5pm public opening hours Monday to Friday and 8am-12 moon Saturday seems to be the norm.

Expect heavy vehicles and noise.

user1977

LLM000 said:

user1977 said:

It's *possible* that it has planning permission with conditions about hours of use etc, but I wouldn't expect there to be any "rules" beyond whatever levels of noise etc being so outrageous that they constitute a legal nuisance (or would cause Environmental Health to step in).

If you choose to buy next to commercial premises such as this, you do have to take the risk of their practices, hours of working etc changing.

Thanks, I will see if I can find any planning permission online. Such a shame as it is a lovely area/ house ruined by a horrid builders yard in the middle of it all!

Or it was a long-established industrial site ruined by having some houses built next door!

FreeBear

MultiFuelBurner said: Expect heavy vehicles and noise.

Depending on the size of the company, and the type of work carried out at the yard, the bulk of materials would be delivered direct to site. I would expect the yard to be used for storing equipment (mini-diggers, etc) and a small quantity of materials that might have been over ordered for a job. If there is any work carried out in the yard beyond administration, it is likely to be carpentry type stuff on an ad hoc basis.

I wouldn't be unduly concerned by having such an establishment next door - Could be worse, much worse (waste recycling centre for example).

macman

You are 'planning on buying it', but you are also 'in the process of moving house'. So which is it?

LLM000

macman said:

You are 'planning on buying it', but you are also 'in the process of moving house'. So which is it?

Not a very helpful comment and totally unrelated to my post. If you are actually curious to know - we are in the process of buying it but are still in the phase where we can pull out. So both of those statements read correctly.

LLM000 said:

user1977 said:

It's *possible* that it has planning permission with conditions about hours of use etc, but I wouldn't expect there to be any "rules" beyond whatever levels of noise etc being so outrageous that they constitute a legal nuisance (or would cause Environmental Health to step in).

If you choose to buy next to commercial premises such as this, you do have to take the risk of their practices, hours of working etc changing.

Thanks, I will see if I can find any planning permission online. Such a shame as it is a lovely area/ house ruined by a horrid builders yard in the middle of it all!

Or it was a long-established industrial site ruined by having some houses built next door!

Equally unhelpful - the area is fully residential with local schools a short distance away. I would think most residents agree a building yard does not fit the mould.

Unsure why you have felt the need to make unhelpful comments such as these. I was just after some genuine advice from people who are kind enough to offer their genuine helpful thoughts.