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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To buy a house on a site that used to be a petrol station?

21 replies

TheQueenIsDeaf · 30/03/2021 17:26

I'm not very experienced at buying houses. I have found a beautiful house that I am looking to buy. The only downside that I can see is that the house was built a little over 10 years ago on a former petrol station brownfield site.

The developers took action to remedy the contamination prior to building the house and it's got a "pass" on the searches for contamination (ie they say the land shouldn't be contaminated now).

It's my dream house and it has incredible views which other houses in the area don't have, so buying a house nearby wouldn't have the same appeal.

It's very low risk of flooding if that makes a difference in terms of the risk of chemicals coming up through the soil.

AIBU to buy it? I love it and the only thing that is giving me pause is that I wouldn't want to put my family at risk (if there indeed is any risk). I may be worrying too much. Very grateful for any views wise Mumsnetters.

OP posts:

Original poster

TheQueenIsDeaf · 30/03/2021 17:35

This is the kind of thing that worries me by the way:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-surrey-54603701

Although I understand the coroner determined that he most likely died from Carbon Monoxide poisoning from the family's petrol pump, rather than from flood water from contaminated land.

OP posts:

WhiteVixen · 30/03/2021 19:58

You're not allowed to post about buying a house without giving us a link to said house.

Thanks for listening to my TED talk on posting about buying houses on Mumsnet.

KeyboardWorriers · 30/03/2021 20:00

I would be wary. From my recollection there can still be residual risks.

tortoiselover100 · 30/03/2021 20:15

Any underground tanks would have been 'grubbed up'. Contamination would have been dealt with. It wouldn't stop me.

Catmummyof2 · 30/03/2021 20:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

MaryIsA · 30/03/2021 20:25

Buy it.

Original poster

TheQueenIsDeaf · 30/03/2021 20:26

You're not allowed to post about buying a house without giving us a link to said house.

I'd love to but I'm genuinely terrified of drawing attention to it in case someone else likes it as much as me. Our offer was accepted but nothing's final until exchange...

Massive thanks for all the comments. I love Mumsnet.

OP posts:

Sprig1 · 30/03/2021 20:29

I would buy it. There are very strict regulations about contaminated sites. You could easily buy a house somewhere else that had more contamination than your former petrol station site and you wouldn't know about it because nobody ever had cause to test it.

MissConductUS · 30/03/2021 20:30

You're wise not to post the link. I'd buy it if I really liked the house and the price was fair.

Theunamedcat · 30/03/2021 20:34

My mom lives next to a former garage thats been earmarked for housing so far they have filled in the tanks underground and cleared the broken cars from up the top and thats all they have done as far as preparation is concerned they had a literal scrapyard at the back end which has been passed as "safe"

3Britnee · 30/03/2021 20:36

@TheQueenIsDeaf

The developers took action to remedy the contamination prior to building the house and it's got a "pass" on the searches for contamination (ie they say the land shouldn't be contaminated now).

It's my dream house and it has incredible views which other houses in the area don't have, so buying a house nearby wouldn't have the same appeal.

It's very low risk of flooding if that makes a difference in terms of the risk of chemicals coming up through the soil.

I'm sure I've read his before. If not, there is another thread on here op, asking the exact same thing. I think it was quite long so would probably have some good info for you if you can find it.

Grilledaubergines · 30/03/2021 20:37

I did, OP!

It was 6 years old when we bought it. From very distant memory, reports were done and anything problematic was so far below the surface it was no issue at all. My plants certainly grew well!

In order for developments to be passed in the early stages, much delving, digging, research and testing is carried out.

SplendidSuns1000 · 30/03/2021 20:51

They check these things VERY carefully to avoid legal action if something goes wrong.

I would buy it. (I won't though, don't worry )

MaskingForIt · 30/03/2021 22:10

I bought a house on the site of an old petrol station and it was fine. The garden was a bit crap, but that’s because there was only about 2 inches of soil over the rubble. I built raised beds and grew veg in those instead.

stackemhigh · 30/03/2021 22:24

I wouldn’t post the link for a couple of reasons.

I would but it.

stackemhigh · 30/03/2021 22:24

Buy it

notanothertakeaway · 30/03/2021 22:35

Irrational perhaps, but I wouldn't buy a house on land which had been a petrol station

So, be aware that even if you don't mind, if you end up selling the house in future, your pool of purchasers may be reduced

2bazookas · 30/03/2021 22:40

I'd be more worried about the state and maintenance of the underground tanks where the fuel was stored. The local planning dept should be able to tell you how they were dealt with.

PferdeMerde · 30/03/2021 22:43

What incredible views does it have? A field?

Original poster

TheQueenIsDeaf · 30/03/2021 22:58

So, be aware that even if you don't mind, if you end up selling the house in future, your pool of purchasers may be reduced

I'm hoping it will be literally a forever home, so perhaps our son can worry about selling it when I'm dead 🤞

It's a sensible point though, as something might happen that forces us to move.

OP posts:

Original poster

TheQueenIsDeaf · 30/03/2021 23:02

What incredible views does it have? A field?

Landscaped park (a big and nice one, not one where there's drinking teenagers etc.) and a wood behind that. I can't describe it well but it's stunning to me and it's great for wildlife spotting apparently - we have friends who live down the road and can confirm. And it's all a short walk from work and the city.

OP posts:

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