Would you buy a house next to a solar farm?

[polkadotdelight]

Our house is currently up for sale as we need somewhere bigger. We are looking to move to our 'forever' or long term home. We are going to drop the price on our house as we have had little interest and first baby is due in September. Due to our budget and requirements there are a very limited number of houses that we would consider moving too.

Two of these houses have recently come up for sale in the same street. We have not viewed them yet as we do not want to potentially waste their time/get their hopes up. The street itself has only about 8 houses on it, there are very tall trees at the back of long gardens and at the front of the houses there is a quiet lane and more tall trees/bushes.

We have found out that planning permission has been granted for 50 acres of solar panels to be build on the farm land surrounding these houses. The plans show the houses to be situated right in the middle of the solar farm and say that the existing trees/bushes will shield the view.

At first we completely discounted the idea but the more we think about it the more we wonder if it still may be worth a look. If you were in our position would you consider it? Does anyone live near a solar farm and have an opinion?

The houses are perfect location for us in terms of work commute and family (childcare) as well as that of our social life, from the photos it doesn't look like we would want to change anything and the house/garden size is exactly what we want. If it wasn't for the solar panels we'd be really keen.

Solar panels would be the perfect neighbours IMHO.

I'm assuming the things themselves don't make a noise ?

Other than that all I can think of is to research how much maintenance they need and what the access to them is - ie are you going to have more and heavier traffic where you are from those getting to the solar farm to maintain it and is there anything else to do with the running of them that might cause noise or other disturbance.

If not and if you are shielded visually - then it doesn't sound like a problem. Caveat - I have never lived next to a solar farm

I walk by a solar farm most days and have never noticed any noise. It almost eerie as the field is much quieter than fields normally are and nothing moves.

The fact that 2 of 8 houses are currently for sale would suggest that perhaps it is an issue (and would be when you resell).

Could be a knee jerk reaction though or simply a coincidence - is there the possibility that the solar farm owners plan to put something else on the land as well in the future?

Resale value is more of an issue if you are looking to move in a few years, not after many years imo.

Thank you all for your replies. I think there has been a lot of opposition to it happening. I have found out that once they are built the only maintenance is 3 monthly cleaning so it would be quiet. Its a massive area though..

I wouldn't hesitate to live next to a solar farm. They're peaceful, there won't be any of the usual farming pesticides etc being sprayed around, the land will be protected from further development....what's not to like?

I couldn't because I object to land being used (well, wasted, really) to generate energy; it's a philosophical objection. I couldn't stand living next to one. Panels should be on rooves not green fields.

Wind turbines next door fine -- great, even. Because can farm & graze livestock underneath them. Turbine actual footprint on land is very small. But solar farms on good agricultural land are very wrong.

Mowing between the damn things must take up a fair amount of the energy they generate.

Actually after Iijkk's post - I'd much rather live next door to a solar farm than a towering wind turbine, although I like wind turbines.

I'd go and view the house anyway, if you're as fussy selective as I am then you'll have other 'problems' to consider.

wind turbine - noise, flicker, bird danger and bloody useless onshore.

solar panels - silent and work.

both not pretty but that's tech for you.

I think its probably only the resale issue that Im thinking of now. Its been really good to read all your opinions - thank you!

Lovely peaceful solar panels!
No noisy tractors or combines coming to harvest.

There are some near us - a massive great field of them and really after a while you don't even give them a second glance.

Re lljjk's post. I agree with you I guess but the ones near us have sheep grazing around them.

Most solar farms planning permissions (if they are in what is otherwise open countryside) have stipulations that after a specific period of time (e.g. 15 years) that they are to be removed, and the land returned to its original state. Is there anything like that in the permission that has been granted? If so, and if this is a 'forever home' you might be able to grab a bargain by buying cheap now and see the value of your house increase in x years time when it becomes farmland again.

Our panels are supposed to be good for at least 20 yrs, but good idea to look into that.

Hmm we'll it'd depend on the impact around the house. If I'd be looking at it all the time not sure Id be happy. But if no impact directly I'd consider it. Maybe. My problem would be the farm land itself. We discounted a house with fairly nice farm land in front of it. Today it looks nice but you are at the mercy of whatever the farmer decides to put on it (or who he decides to sell it to).

weedonleg we read 25 years to be the length of time and they will be high enough to graze sheep under. Will show DH this thread.

If you do proceed, go in with low offers - I doubt it is coincidence that both houses are selling at the same time that the solar farm is going ahead. I would imagine that both houses have vehmentally opposed the solar farm, been to meetings, written letters, had their whole life taken over by fighting the proposals, and now it is going ahead, they are throwing in the towel. I expect they will accept very low offers. Good luck!