Has the EA been a bit naughty here?

[Agrestic]

Had offer accepted on a property 1/4 of a mile out of town, surrounded by feilds, a tad over what I wanted to pay but fine.

When viewing the EA advised that the feild behind had planning permission to expand. It had been granted 2 years ago but nothing had started yet. We decided this wasn't a problem.

The searches came and showed nothing we didn't already know.

Today I have found out that there are plans to build approx 2500 houses, schools, shops etc etc effectively putting us in the middle of an estate type towny thing. Planning permission is yet to be applied for but it has been common knowledge (although not to me!!) Since 2007.

Should the estate agent have made it clear that this is a real possibility. I feel by omitting to tell us about the plans they have been dishonest...

Wwyd?

[HaveToWearHeels]

He did tell you there was planning on the land behind you, I think he has been perfecting fair in telling you what he did considering there is no planning permission yet he didn't have to say anything. If he had not said anything and the searches have found nothing I am not sure what you can be annoyed about. It could happen with any rural house.

[NewEraNewMindset]

I think the answer is yes. We are currently going through the Property Omudsmen after we purchased a property and only found out months after we moved in that a wind farm was being built and the EA knew, but didn't mention it.

[PatriciaHolm]

Given they told you that the field behind had planning, I can't see the problem. If they hadn't, then you would have had an argument, but they did - it was then up to you and your solicitor to work out what was actually going on and what was realistically likely to happen. It's not up to the Estate Agent to bring you up to speed on what appears to be local, unsubstantiated rumour.

[Bowlersarm]

But the ea told you.

They said the field behind had planning permission.

[crossandcrosser]

Thing is, PP can take ages to be approved. He was honest in that he told you and even if he suspected that it would be granted he wasn't being dishonest.
I suppose that's the value of having a search.

[specialsubject]

it won't come up on the search until the planning permission is applied for. (my house has an ongoing possible issue with no planning, we decided to take the risk) Not for the EA to do the research on what might be in the pipeline, they work for the seller. This is for you to ask around and google. Perhaps also ring the council and ask if they have any news on the application.

you said you have an offer accepted - if you haven't exchanged then you are able to pull out if you don't fancy this idea.

if you move in you'll be fighting this for ever, and as government policy is to concrete over the country I think the odds are that you'll lose.

[Agrestic]

Yes he did say feild behind. They are building 10 houses there. He did not say that there would also be building to the front and both sides! 10 houses is slightly different to 2500 surely?

The definitely knew. There have been town meetings about it held in the pun next door to thier office. If they didn't know I think I'd be more worried!

I still want the house but my final offer was more than I had planned (it was an offers over scenario) and I feel like they took advantage of me not being from the area.

[lottiegarbanzo]

You've said there was already pp, didn't you know or find out for what?

[lottiegarbanzo]

Anyway, you can pull out, or threaten to without a reduction in price.

[Agrestic]

I understand why it wasn't in the search. It's not an unsubstantiated rumour. It will happen, just a question of when. Could be years or even decades.

[HaveToWearHeels]

Again, I don't believe the estate agent was being dishonest, he told you about planning it's up to you to find out the extent of that planning. As specialsubject says, ring the council and find out the facts. The agent has no obligation to tell you any planning that hasn't been granted and even if it has that is what searches are for !

[Bowlersarm]

The ea is not going to point out all the reasons you shouldn't buy a house. They have a duty to their vendor not their purchaser.

They told youthere is plannjng permission for houses to be built. It is really up to you,or any purchaser, to look into it more thoroughly.

As you say it could be years before the land is developed anyway. Although With Labour stating 200,000 houses will be built per year, and Conservatives 100,000, there will be a lot of fields built on in the coming years, and it may be sooner rather than later.

[Pipbin]

Never buy a house for the view unless you own everything up to the horizon. Everything has a danger of being built on.

It should have come up on the searches I hope.

[specialsubject]

no, there is no planning application yet, hence it won't be on the searches.

but it will happen. Although I doubt that the schools and shops will appear, no profit for the developers.