Buy or Not - Lea Bridge Gasworks

[Livhi]

Me and my partner have just put an offer in on a lovely top floor Warner flat on the Clementina Estate, E10. However I’ve just discovered (thanks to my surveyor) that there are big plans for a HUGE estate to be built over 5 years directly opposite the property. 600+ flats.

We really love the flat and the initial attraction was that it was on a quiet road - I’m worried about buying it and dealing with years of construction noise, fumes from the site and it affecting the value of the property.

It is our first property we are buying together, we have been renting together in Dalston for 3 years and really ready to buy a place of our own.

is this a big mistake and should we pull out? Seeking advice!

(photo attached below of the estate being built - date TBC to when construction is beginning!)

xxx

"the initial attraction was that it was on a quiet road"

There's your answer. I'd pull out now and find something else.

I live on the Clementina Estate. Whereabouts is the flat? Which road?

If it was me I would pull out. The project keeps getting delayed and they won't even be starting until at least the end of 2024, then you've got five years of building work, then selling all the properties and people moving in. I would also be worried about contamination and fumes when disturbing the existing gas works. I read that there will be 1400 residents on the new site so it would definitely ruin the quiet surroundings.

the flat is on Clementina Road. My partner thinks it would be ok to live there with construction happening but he seems concerned about how it will affect the value of the property.

I think it’s best to pull out but maybe it would be ok to live there whilst building work happens?

It’s on Clementina Road near the end (furthest street away from the park)

And when you come to sell it you'll be competing with a shitload of newer, potentially more sought after, flats right next door.

That's assuming you stay there until the project is finished in 5-10 years time. If not you'll be trying to sell in a building site. Not good.

You've said you think you should pull out so regardless of what your boyfriend thinks it's a no go and you need to find something else that suits you both equally.

Oh wow, I have to say that would put me off.

But wherever you live in Waltham Forest you are at risk of humongous, ugly, how-is-this-being-allowed development. And who knows what these blocks will look like in 20 years, when the developers are long gone and all the quality issues are fully apparent.

If you are at that end of Clementina, you will have to consider noise and disruption during building work.

They built three large blocks the other side of Lea Bridge Road and there was much dooming and glooming about the stress on transport, noise, etc, which I can't say has impacted much.

The estate is lovely - the flats re nice and solid buildings. I bought 3 years ago and this was on the board then, so you will have to weigh things up very carefully.