House Purchase - Proximity to Electric and Gas Substation and Electric Pylon

Clarkg85

Hi all,

We are currently searching to move to what will be our family home for the next 10-15 years and potentially found a house we like, but seeking some views on living near to electric and gas substations and an electric pylon.

Over the road from the front of the house there is however an electric substation (top right pic) that's approximately 15 metres from the house. Other than the aesthetic and potential low pitch hum (which we haven't heard even after multiple visits) is there anything else we should be worried about?

Also at the back of the property there is a gas substation (bottom left pic in green metal box) about 10-15 metres from the house and an electric pylon. Again we haven't noticed any hum from any of these.

I've read some posts on here and understand that some people wouldn't move to a house with these in close proximity (which may make it slightly harder to sell) but if we can live with the look and happy with the price is there anything else we should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!

CSI_Yorkshire

Extremely common and nothing in any of those installations has much to it.  Even looks like the pole can be accessed from public land so no wayleave issues.

Do you know which direction the cable goes once it's come down from the pole?

Clarkg85

CSI_Yorkshire said:

Extremely common and nothing in any of those installations has much to it.  Even looks like the pole can be accessed from public land so no wayleave issues.

Do you know which direction the cable goes once it's come down from the pole?

Thanks Yorkshire,

Yes the pole has separate access from public land. As for the wires, I'm not sure yet if they go round the property to the sub station at the front of the property or through the property boundary.

Guessing this will be something that will be picked up on during the searches stage if we were to make an offer?

lincroft1710

If it was a proper pylon (very tall metal structure with 4 legs, loads of "arms" and dozens of cables attached to the arms and loads of them in a row), I wouldn't touch the house with a bargepole, but that wooden pole in the picture seems OK. What is that green area next to the electricity substation?

Clarkg85

lincroft1710 said:

If it was a proper pylon (very tall metal structure with 4 legs, loads of "arms" and dozens of cables attached to the arms and loads of them in a row), I wouldn't touch the house with a bargepole, but that wooden pole in the picture seems OK. What is that green area next to the electricity substation?

Thanks Lincroft,

I agree, I wouldn't consider one of the larger metal type also but thought I'd check other peoples views.

When we originally viewed the property we thought that the green part to the right of the substation below was intended to be a lake/pond but after speaking to the estate agent its purpose is to is to act as a sustainable drainage system? Think its fairly common in new build estates (built 3 years ago)?

To be honest I think it would look prettier if it was a lake, but personally find it better than having neighbours opposite the house and a reduced risk of flooding is also desirable?

Ksw3

Neither would bother me (we are near a substation so perhaps I'm biased!). I agree a great big electricity pylon would be a no. 

theartfullodger

Some swear by metal foil hats: Fetching!

GDB2222

We have gas pipes under the street. I wonder what a gas substation does?  Is it just a big box with valves in, to isolate the supply?

user1977

GDB2222 said:

I wonder what a gas substation does?

Much the same job as an electricity one - reducing higher pressure mains to lower pressure before it's distributed to the nearby customers.

GDB2222

user1977 said:

GDB2222 said:

I wonder what a gas substation does?

Much the same job as an electricity one - reducing higher pressure mains to lower pressure before it's distributed to the nearby customers.

Our gas comes from a pipe under the street. Does that mean there’s one of those substations somewhere, but I have never noticed?  

Expanding gas cools. Do these things incorporate a heater?

user1977

GDB2222 said:

user1977 said:

GDB2222 said:

I wonder what a gas substation does?

Much the same job as an electricity one - reducing higher pressure mains to lower pressure before it's distributed to the nearby customers.

Our gas comes from a pipe under the street. Does that mean there’s one of those substations somewhere, but I have never noticed?  

Well, it's going to be somewhere, isn't it? Follow your pipe....