House Plot

[Nikkiii9]

Im currently debating between two plots in an estate. Plot 55 and plot 80.

55 has a SW facing garden and it is slightly longer but is overlooked whereas 80 is NW facing and not over looked. Which would be the best option for sunlight?

Thanks 😊

SW every time,you could always plant some screening plants for privacy

We have a NW facing house and it’s shaded until the evening

Depends how long the NW facing garden is. We have a 45m N facing garden and get tons of sun. It's not overlooked which would put me off making the most of the garden.

Do you like sitting out in the sun in the middle of the day in summer? A NW facing garden in a hot summer is nice because you have the shade of the house to have lunch in , but get sun from the west in the evening for BBQs. Do check what is to the west though - trees can grow to block the light.
In the winter the sun probably won't clear the house for a few months though so the garden can get quite boggy.

55 every time

We are NW and really pleasantly surprised with just how much sun we get in back, again we’ve nothing to the west side of us which is really critical. No issues at all with boggy grass as was only really a couple of months where we got nothing much at all. Obviously don’t get it streaming into back of house (plenty to front) but garden not an issue at all. Don’t rule it out.

Being overlooked is a massive thing. How overlooked?!

Our last house was NW facing and the garden was used and loved all year

Defo choose not being overlooked. Ours is north facing but we get lovely shady bits on hot days and the patio by the house is bathed in sun from early afternoon. I’m pleasantly surprised.

Oh definitely don't rule out a NW garden without having a proper look at what is or isn't going to block the sun. You might be able to tell just from the plot map and the position if the other houses.

@LadyCurd

Defo choose not being overlooked. Ours is north facing but we get lovely shady bits on hot days and the patio by the house is bathed in sun from early afternoon. I’m pleasantly surprised.

Are you sure your garden is due north? Obviously gardens differ by their size/surroundings, but a north facing garden will always be overshadowed by the house, so patios directly by the house tend to be shaded.

That would be a tough one for me, OP. I'd have to look into how much sun the garden would get and if it wasn't much I'd not pick either. It depends how much you prioritise a garden though. I insisted on a south or west facing garden when we bought our house. It's only by chance it's not overlooked but now I know I couldn't live anywhere that was!

I have added pictures of the plots if this helps 😊

Hmmmm... plot 80 is pretty westerly isn't it. Are those trees going to end up massive though, as they might block your evening sun. It certainly doesn't look the worst garden in the world for sun though. The other garden is a perfect orientation for sun... just depends how overlooked you'd be and how much that matters to you? Clever planting could help with screening, although this would take time unless you pay ££££ for established shrubs/trees.

80 all the way. It is a pretty West facing NW (but i would look at the trees too). But also offers more space outside the front of the house for vistors/general parking. I can see there being parking wars with plot 55 as it is a private driveway (which I imagine you will be responsible for).
We bought off plan a house with a NW facing garden (more NW than yours) and we get amazing sunshine all because it isn't overlooked or have anything blocking it.
It is as much about the position of things around the house aswell as the direction.

What is the price differential?

Yes looking at this I would also definitely go for number 80. It is a much nicer plot and more West that NW so there will be plenty of sun. Mine is more North West and we get the sun in the garden all day, in fact I've had the washing out blowing in the sunshine today. You will also get sunshine on the front in the morning which will be nice. Number 55 has 5 gardens directly surrounding it so the potential for a lot of noise. Also, because 63 and 64 have N facing gardens, they will need to use the bottom of their garden to get the best chance of sun. You could end up with more than 1 hot tub right against your fence! South facing gardens might be nice but the front of the house won't get any sun at all which can really make a difference to how a room feels. When we bought ours there were 2 houses for sale, one with a fully south facing garden and ours which is NW. Fortunately ours were fully built so I was able to see that there was plenty of sun. Obviously it is more difficult if you are buying a plot. If there are any already built with a similar aspect that might give you the chance to have a better look. Good luck!

Definitely 80. There appears to be a shared driveway leading to 55/54 and shared driveways can lead to real problems.

Plus 55 is so overlooked. Plot 80 is on the edge of the development which is much nicer IMO.

I don't know if it helps but this is my house and we have a lovely sunny garden.

80. It’s not North facing. You should get some sun from the South West. 55 is very hemmed in. How big are any trees outside the garden of 80? Are they real or just a picture and who owns them?

55 has twice as many noisy neighbours as 80. Providing those trees aren’t & won’t become too much of a problem then choose 80. 55 also seems to have a shared access issue.

Plot 80 for the privacy.