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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be really worried about this?

51 replies

featherbag · 13/01/2013 12:43

We moved to our current (rented) home while I was pregnant with DC1, from a not very nice area, as DH and I wanted to raise our child in a quieter area, with more like-minded families as neighbours, and good schools. We're just off a 40mph dual carriageway, but not close enough that it's a problem. We found out today that a discount supermarket chain want to build a new store over the road - this would literally be the entire view from the front windows! There is another supermarket on the opposite corner, which has been there for yonks and is surrounded by 'community' shops including a hairdresser, florist, pharmacy, etc. I'm so worried about the possibility of this new supermarket, I've seen what's happened to other residential areas they've built branches in, and I don't want my lovely area to change! I'm going to object at every level/opportunity, but AIBU to worry so much? Does anyone have any similar experiences that turned out ok? As things stand, DH and I are anticipating another house move in the next year, before we have to submit nursery applications for DS. We're hoping to make a start on DC2 this year too!

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Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:01

Deck - as a 'discount' supermarket their emphasis is on price of goods, and they adopt a very utilitarian approach to design. The new build will be a horrible eyesore - although if object to a huge Waitrose being built outside my front window too! They also seem to attract things like McD's drive-throughs, without exception every one of these supermarkets within 30 miles of here has a McD's attached, with the associated noise and litter.

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Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:02

Sheila, why are you still here? You obviously have nothing constructive/interesting to say.

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CrazyChristmasLady · 13/01/2013 14:02

Issues it will bring to the area.

YABU. If it bothers you that much then move, you're renting so it shouldn't be that much bother.

poocatcherchampion · 13/01/2013 14:03

I'm desperate to know which supermarket is so awful, that it will RUIN the area..

Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:04

Why shouldn't it be that much bother?!!

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WorraLiberty · 13/01/2013 14:06

Which supermarket chain is it?

Why does it have a negative effect and what does it have to do with you 'escaping a bad area'?

Is it a Lidls or something and you're afraid it'll attract people who wear tracksuits and Uggs?

CrazyChristmasLady · 13/01/2013 14:07

poocatcher I'm guessing Lidl or Aldi.

And I have never seen a drive through McDonalds besides a supermarket.

Its not that much bother because it doesn't involve selling and buying a house and the possilbilty of moving a child to a different school or driving them to and from your current local one as you don't have a school age child.

pippop1 · 13/01/2013 14:08

Is it Tesco one of them near us has a MCDonalds close by. The other one doesn't. One is two miles away and one is one and a half.

CrazyChristmasLady · 13/01/2013 14:08

Oh and you can't say I know nothing about moving. Me and DH have spent only 4 months in some rented places that either had a terrible landlord or the property was bad. We have moved a lot because of issues and have yet to find a decent landlord or place that didn't have problems.

WorraLiberty · 13/01/2013 14:10

And what's wrong with having a drive-thru Maccy Dee's anyway?

It's not like the staff will be knocking at your door, forcing their McNuggets down your throat.

Chelvis · 13/01/2013 14:10

I guess ASDA, they are the only ones with McDs in around here.

I wouldn't want to live near a supermarket either - when we stayed in a hotel overlooking one, we had delivery noises at 6am and the car park lighting illuminating our room all night. I would move, it's a shame to have the hassle but at least you're not stuck there owning.

Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:13

So none of you would have a problem with this? Really? The McD's thing - not sure why this is so prevalent in this region, but honestly every branch of this supermarket I've been too (and I do actually shop there) has a McD's in the carpark. I'm concerned about the shift from mostly residential to 50/50 residential/commercial if this happens, I'm concerned about the noise and disruption of the building work, I'm concerned about the increase in traffic, the increase in litter, the extra damage to the already very poor condition roads, the horrible view from our windows, etc. Am I really B so U to worry about all of these things, and to not want the hassle and disappointment of moving? Especially while working shifts FT, studying PT, having a family life and extending that family? I'm guessing those who think moving house when you're renting is akin to moving seats on a train have never rented!

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Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:14

I don't care who shops there, what they wear or where/if they work by the way, just wanted to clear that up.

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WorraLiberty · 13/01/2013 14:19

Then don't move.

Just be happy that it'll create jobs for those who need them and the people in your area who don't dive/have less income will be able to afford to shop there.

If there's a problem with litter etc, phone the council.

jamdonut · 13/01/2013 14:19

If its an Aldi (or Lidl) most people I know and/or work with i.e school staff use these shops. You don't just get people on benefits you know!

As well as Aldi,we also have a drive-thru McD (24 hours),a FarmFoods, Greggs,Currys and a huge Morrisons, all a 2 minute walk away. And Tesco a ten minute walk away.

It makes no difference to house prices, and is actually very useful!! IThey are my corner shops!

pippop1 · 13/01/2013 14:19

True, I'm lucky enough never to have rented and I really don't think you are at all unreasonable to be disappointed that the area you chose so carefully is going, at least in your view (and sort of in mine) downwards.

However, if you did own your property you would be so upset that your house might be devalued (or it might not) by something that you had no control over.

Yes it's not easy to move but you won't be potentially loosing thousands of pounds from this supermarket will you? The owner might but they took that risk.

However, possibly the owner of the house knew that this residential site might be built on before they bought the property that you rent. Solicitors do "searches" before a purchase to see if there are any planning applications put in around the area e.g. a new road. The landlord might have thought that it would be a good thing for hard working tennants who might appreciate being near to a supermarket and that would make the property more attractive?

CrazyChristmasLady · 13/01/2013 14:21

No, I pointed out quite plainly that we rented for years and it was bloody horrible because of the amount of times we had to move. We may have only 'upgraded' to shared ownership, but its a bloody godsend after renting and moving constantly.

Ok, where I am there are no McDs by the supermarkets so that struck me as weird, obviously it is different where you are. Didn't really think about deliveries and that but one flat we rented was opposite a school, a social club, a local small supermarket and cashpoint, next door to a chippy, chemist just down the road so very busy with loads of people coming and going constantly and lorries making deliveries down very cramped back lanes and a narrow road with cars parked on both sides. It actually wasn't that bad. School run was actually the worse time because of selfish idiots and their parking but it wasn't unbearable. It was actually the one rented place we stayed the longest, over 3 years which was a record for us and it was despite shitty landlord not getting things done. They eventually evicted us when I was pregnant for asking, yet again, to get the heating fixed.

Anyway, if you think it is going to be that bad, your only option is to move unless you feel that you can put up with the stuff that would bother you. At least you wouldn't be trying to sell a house thats about to have a supermarket pop up across the road. Or could you look at it in terms of its convenience to your lives if you already shop there?

Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:23

We do appreciate being near a supermarket - there's already one on the opposite corner to the proposed new one! And again - I couldn't give a shiny shite who shops here, whether they're on benefits or not, wear track suits or not, whether they're sky blue pink or not - I just don't want this supermarket built here and I'm devastated by the thought of having to leave here having thought we were settled for at least a few years!

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Pandemoniaa · 13/01/2013 14:25

I wouldn't worry about this development until it is a great deal nearer to being built. You rent your house so it isn't as if you are going to deal with any potential blight. Although actually, I think you are being rather precious about the impact on the neighbourhood since it could be an asset, not a detriment.

To start worrying about school admissions and the aggravation of moving when you have no idea whether planning permission will be granted is premature in the extreme.

Also, unless you choose to live in the middle of nowhere with all the disadvantages that can bring, it's difficult to see how you can avoid potential developments. You can, of course, object to them, however.

Viviennemary · 13/01/2013 14:26

It's always a case of not in my back yard. People never want supermarkets near them. I wouldn't want a gigantic supermarket built next door to me. If you're renting then move.

CrazyChristmasLady · 13/01/2013 14:26

If you've settled so much then just wait and see what happens. They may not even get planning permission. If it all goes ahead and it is unbearable then you can reassess your situation then.

WorraLiberty · 13/01/2013 14:28

Right so you're worried about the noise from the building works? That's a red herring because it'll stop as soon as the building is complete...anyway you live next to a 40mph dual carriageway...

You're worried about litter and damage to the roads. Well that's something the council will deal with.

I think this is more about the view from your window isn't it?

I don't know what the fact you've escaped a bad area to live with 'like minded families' etc has to do with a new shop being built.

Original poster

featherbag · 13/01/2013 14:29

You're right, I'm getting ahead of myself but I can't help it, I'd really hoped not to have to move again in the next few years. And I hope I'm worrying about nothing, I just have this awful sense if foreboding that I just can't shake!

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BertieBotts · 13/01/2013 14:32

What on Earth supermarket is it, I'm really curious now!

cakebar · 13/01/2013 14:55

The Lidl I know that is in a Residential area has not had any detrimental effect, there is no litter or anything and the site is neat and tidy. I would not be concerned about Aldi or Lidl as IMO they don't open late and aren't the kind of shop that kids hang around. An Asda would concern me far more.

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