We've had an offer accepted on the perfect property (for us - ticks all the boxes, very edge of town, rural outlook, reasonably quiet road). Cash in the bank ready and waiting, survey done, no major issues.
Just found out there is a planning application in for an estate of 270 Persimmon houses in the field across the road. 
.
The access road to the estate would be directly opposite our drive.
Spoken to planning office who believes the application will be successful because the number of properties on the plan has already been reduced from 400+ to 270, and the county council plan for the area requires building of 250 new houses over the next ten years - this estate will pretty much finalise the plan in one fell swoop. But the planning meeting to approve/decline the plans will not be held until at least November, possibly December.
We need to retract our offer don't we?
Conceivably 3 years of construction traffic/noise/dust.
Loss of rural outlook.
500 cars in and out of the estate, right opposite our house/drive. (The estate is a mix of 2/3/4 bedroom homes, some social housing, so probably lots of families with children to take to school and clubs, adults to and from work etc.
I could weep. We've expended £2000 in survey and legal fees. It's a perfect house, but part of the perfection was the rural outlook and quiet position.
Tearing my hair out.