AIBU to turn down developer’s offer of £££ and keep our garden?

[Emelene]

Hi MN. I would appreciate some opinions. We have very recently moved to a village, with an outstanding school, village green out the front and a garden in excess of 100 ft out the back. Our kids are almost 3 and 1 and we see ourselves living here for at least a decade.

The thing is the last owner was intending to sell 60% of the garden to developers, along with the next 3 neighbours along (we are the end plot on the plans). She lost patience and sold the lot to us. Planning permission has finally been granted after previous appeals were turned down.

Under the plans, there would be a house and a half built on our land, so we would be overlooked and lose 60 percent of the garden. We don’t have to sell, but the developers have offered a final offer of £100k. That would pay off about a third of our mortgage. They are pressuring us to make a decision ASAP.

Obviously it’s a huge amount of money and a privileged position to be in … it’s very hard to say no. But. Losing the garden is a high price. We’d planned chickens, Wendy house etc. The house currently feels so peaceful, trees out the back (that would be cut down) and birdsong. So I think it would change the whole feel of our home. But there will be a house built in the neighbour’s garden, so there will be a small element of overlooking…

I’m scared we will regret turning down the money. But our kids are so young and we moved here to give them a wonderful childhood (with a garden!)

So AIBU to turn the developers down and keep the garden? WWYD?

Ignore me, OP - stupidly I missed you last update and see you've decided against

Probably the right decision, but I admit the curiosity would have killed me as to how far they'd go (and you'll probably find out soon enough when they keep coming back to you)

Absolutely no way I would sell. Keep the house as you bought and enjoy. Then if and when you are ready to move sell with planning permission for the garden. You will get way more. Even if you do t get planning permission it will be worth more and only go up on value. Houses with big gardens are becoming more and more rare and sought after.

Also think when you may have to sell the property. Will it sell with the new house built to over look it. I agree with others if you don't need to I would sell

I'm guessing that it would devalue your house substantially. It sounds as though you live in a rural area where people expect big gardens.

If they’ll pay 100k they will pay 200k?

We had the same dilemma about 15 years ago when a developer was building bungalows at the back of us. We had small children and bought the house partly because of the 100ft garden. We turned down his offer and although we didn't have a lot of money then I've never regretted the decision. We had some chickens down the end of the garden which we all loved. Now the children are older we have a summerhouse down there which is lovely. Don't sell your lovely garden it's worth much more than money.

How much would your house be worth with the garden sold and the new house overlooked

Let the price decide .
Ask for £150k including plus all legal costs.

No,no,no. Never sell. Privacy, well being, space to breath. They are not making any more land. Once its gone, its gone for ever.

Presumably you can afford the house now so I would keep the land if I were you. I did a similar thing and sold the end of my garden. I regretted it, still do massively and have had to move away. That hasn't been the best thing I ever did either. I am so gutted over my mistake - 20+ years ago, it still is one of the worst mistakes of my life and I suspect I will regret it for the rest of my life.

You have room for a small orchard there, OP. Five trees make an orchard! You could look at traditional local apple varieties, include a cooker, or any pears bar woody, boring old conference. Fig, cherry, plum, greengage? Whatever you fancy. Underplant with bulbs - snowdrops, aconites, crocus, bluebells, narcissi, fritillaries, whatever appeals. Or your hens can scratch under your fruit trees. 😍 Imagine saying to the children, "Go and play in the orchard!"

@Roxy69 can I ask why you regret it still so much?

Your own outdoor private space is a great thing as I've found out in lockdown. I have an Edwardian property with a decent sized garden and it has been a great family space compared to friends with modern houses that have a tiny patch of turf front and back only. I wouldn't sell, losing the majority of my space and being overlooked by a modern development.

I moved away from where I was really happy, the land the neighbours etc. I sold it because I thought it would be ok but then didn't like what happened to my bit of land It became a dumping ground, I lost a lot of privacy and that was not what I was told it was for. But that's their prerogative I know since they then owned it. Since then I'm afraid my hopes for a future nice house and garden have sadly not materialised. Although I am deeply gutted by the situation, it was my own doing and I don't blame anyone else and I don't think any of my friends know how I actually feel. Its just me not being able to let go of it.

Not sure if it's been asked. But would it theoretically be possible for you to build on your land at a later date if you don't sell now? If so you could sell the land after obtaining planning permission at a later date if you wanted to. You could put in for planning permission now to see if it's possible?
If so I'd keep it and you always have a fall back option you can release cash from at a later date?

@Wombat49

100k isn't that much if it knots £££off your house value.

I was also considering that the £100k isn't actually £100k - what you lose in the way of land and being overlooked will devalue your home.

If you sell part of your garden to the developer you would lose probably nearly £100,000 in the properties resale value. People want outdoor space since the pandemic. Keep the garden and trees and enjoy it.

sorry to hear @Roxy69

Yes it's a tough decision but it sounds like you'll be happier, to me at least if you keep it.
Best of luck to you either way that you decide.

Def ask for £200k. If they agree to pay that it will be a far easier decision. I don’t think you will be happy in the house with the garden cut off but the £200k would be a fantastic springboard up the ladder.

If they are so quick to offer £100k is it’s clearly worth more!

Good choice OP.

@buttermutt

sorry to hear *@Roxy69*

Thank you. I am a glass half-full type of person and have a lot to be thankful for.

good

Enjoy the garden now and sell in the future perhaps , the land will only increase in value

What price would you sell it for?..... you could try 200K and it's yours.