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Original poster

Dream house has an electricity substation!!!

94 replies

FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 08:10

We can't proceed, can we? Apparently, it reduces viewings by 60% and that's before factoring in health issues etc. So disappointed.... Can't believe I was talking about naming it yesterday!

Nobody would buy that, would they? Or am I being over dramatic

OP posts:
Ta1kinPeace · 14/09/2015 15:19

Also, not sure what you mean about it being illegal and needing planning permission : utility servicing structures are not part of the normal planning system

ChipsandGuac · 14/09/2015 15:19

That wouldn't bother me. Having massive pylons running through would though.

Original poster
FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 15:21

Substations do need planning consents in my LA. Might be dependent on size tho

OP posts:
MadisonMontgomery · 14/09/2015 15:22

That honestly would not bother me at all. I was expecting some massive structure! Cannot see why that would put anyone off, cause problems with resale etc.

aprilshowerssoon · 14/09/2015 15:24

Those sorts of electricity substations are everywhere. Most are well hidden. I am not exaggerating when I say that there will be one of those within every 20-30 houses or so.

Ta1kinPeace · 14/09/2015 15:26

I'd worry more about one of the illegal pirate radio stations that are on the top of many city centre tower blocks, chucking out on all frequencies at unregulated power

SunsofAlanKey · 14/09/2015 15:29

We have one between our house and next door. Before we bought our house we did a lot of listening and never heard a hum. In fact it is incredibly run down, no one ever goes near it and to my eyes it looks like there is a hole in the roof. When our neighbours bought their houe they discovered it is just an emergency generator, so is never really in use, possibly all the electrical equipment is now getting very wet!!!

Ta1kinPeace · 14/09/2015 15:31

FWIW The Hum is gas moving through the mains, particularly pressuring buildings - I tuned into it years ago and have been able to hear it ever since. Right PITA

wanderings · 14/09/2015 15:41

I lived in a (bought) flat for several years, and there was one of these structures in the communal garden: it's basically a big transformer, that you sometimes see on poles in the country. It was fenced, not in a building. Cats would frequently climb inside the enclosure and lie on the equipment - I kid you not! Perhaps it was warm (snow on it never lasted). My cat who often did this is still very much alive, 8 years later (we are in a different house).

It's a case of "how do you think the electricity gets to your house"?

The simplified explanation for these structures is: electricity enters your house at 230V, because this is a "comparatively" safe voltage. But when electricity has to travel long distances, it needs to be at a much higher voltage, to reduce waste by resistance in the wires. This equipment is where the electricity is converted from the higher voltage to the 230V.

Original poster
FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 17:23

I know how it works alright, but have decided we will not be taking the risk. Apparently if you are right next door, you can be exposed to high EMF - i've read all sorts of differing opinions so apart from getting professional advice, readings etc, I'm just going to go with my gut on this, regrettably.

OP posts:
Ta1kinPeace · 14/09/2015 17:28

Apparently if you are right next door, you can be exposed to high EMF - i've read all sorts of differing opinions
Please ignore the tin foil hat brigade.
They are talking utter piffle.

Do not say goodbye to a dream house unless you have a very good one lined up.

shushpenfold · 14/09/2015 17:31

We've just bought the house with a major substation about 250 metres away (past the end of our garden) Didn't even think of it being an issue. Go for it!!

shushpenfold · 14/09/2015 17:32

LOL at the 'tin foil hat brigade' comment Grin

puffylovett · 14/09/2015 17:33

Hubby is an electrician / engineer and very well educated about emfs etc and the one thing he categorically would not do is buy a house with a substation nearby. Especially not with young children in the house.

What I don't know is what he classes as a substation Grin

Original poster
FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 17:45

Penfold - I think its fine as long as you are not right next door, which we would be .... emissions drop from five metres - this contraption would be two metres from our outside wall - I just CBA with years of worry etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 17:46

Its not huge, about 2m x 2m x 2m....and much as I remind myself that we cant avoid EMF, I can certainly limit by making a different choice. feeling very sad :(

OP posts:
Ta1kinPeace · 14/09/2015 17:49

we cant avoid EMF
Do you listen to the radio?
Or watch TV?
Or use a mobile phone?
Or ever see the sun?
Or think about the cables running under the road?

light is an EMF
without being constantly washed by EMF we would be rather dark and cold

Original poster
FluffyCubs · 14/09/2015 17:51

Yes, I know that, Peace, that's what I was saying. I can chose whether or not to live next to it, so we won't.

OP posts:
GudrunBrangwen · 14/09/2015 18:48

The one in the picture I posted was really noisy. Especially in the rain -

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMcracklecracklecrackle

all the blimming time.

THAT would put me off more than anything else tbh.

GudrunBrangwen · 14/09/2015 18:48

and loads of pylons all over the shop.

Hobbes8 · 14/09/2015 19:40

We lived next door but one to one which caught fire and burned down all our back fences and sheds. I gather that's pretty rare though, and correct safety procedures hadn't been followed by the electricity company.

NoMoreRenting · 14/09/2015 19:48

We walked away from a dream house with one next door. We made the decision for 2 reasons;

  1. I could hear it. It wasn't particularly loud but I'm somewhat noise phobic and s constant him is the very sort of noise to drive me potty.
  2. research showed that if we wanted to sell at a later date we would need to accept that up to 50% if potential buyers would dismiss it out of hand.
  3. mainly linked to no2 but if in the future there was credible scientific evidence of a risk to health then the value of the house would fall through the floor.

So with all that in mind, we walked away.

specialsubject · 14/09/2015 19:49

fine. Goodbye perfect house due to tinfoil hat thinking.

shame, as so many others think that way you could get a real bargain...

NoMoreRenting · 14/09/2015 19:50

Constant hum

PigletJohn · 14/09/2015 22:19

I find that utility cabin strangely attractive. I'd like one as a shed.