Would you withdraw over potential development?

[WinterGold]

Put an offer in on a lovely property in a rural location that backs onto a field. Part of the appeal was the view and openness. The field has been fallow for years according to the current owner of the property and used by locals for dog walking etc.

Nothing has come up in solicitor’s searches but some friends who were parish councillors recommended we checked the Local Plan. It transpires the owner of the land has offered up the site to the county council and it has been identified as a Strategic Site with potential for development of up to 160 houses.

Unfortunately there’s no historic precedence, archeological interest or flood issues, and it’s not in a conservation area, plus there is potential access to a main trunk road. Two previous applications for demolition of an existing tin barn and 5 detached houses have already been approved, plus 3 bungalows, although the landowner withdraw these. I’m now wondering if the reason was because the landowner realises there is far bigger potential further down the line.

I understand that being identified as a strategic site doesn’t automatically mean planning permission will be given, but I can’t help feeling that it makes the site very vulnerable to building, therefore a gamble.

I’m supposed to be exchanging during the next 20 days. What would you do?

I would withdraw. It’s not just the presence of the houses, it’s the years of noise and disruption whilst they are being built.

Pull out. We sold our house, which also backed on to lovely open space (that’s why we bought it!) when there were murmurings of development behind it. Glad we did - they built 20 massive houses behind it 3 years later. Totally obliterated the view.

Dont buy it.

edited for typo

Unfortunately I would say at that the odds are that there will be a largish development there. If it’s been identified as a strategic site for housing and has planning history for a housing development (albeit much smaller) I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t be developed.
so next steps really if working out if that is a dealbreaker for you.

If peace and empty space are important to you, pull out. Councils are under massive pressure to find sites. This is a site with good access, not an SSI and no flooding issues. It will get snapped up.

Yes, I would withdraw.

Thanks for your replies. Yes, you’re all saying what deep down I’m feeling, but trying to deny. I’m also conscious with the government planning on this additional house building drive, this site will be very desirable in the near future as, although it is rural, it has good access to a large town and major motorway.

+1 in favour of pulling out.

Even if this particular development doesn't go ahead, at some point it's almost certain that another project will get approved. It's not just about the view and the works, it's about a relatively quiet area suddenly having a much bigger population, meaning busier roads, pressure on services and infrastructure etc.

Pull out now. We bought a house with planning permission for houses on the field behind and it hasn't been great. Our lovely open back view has gone, and while I could have lived with the houses, the inconsiderate developers (starting at 6am, using our private drive for access, leaving mess everywhere, playing loud radio all day etc.) and the disregard for what was on the planning have been mare. Friends who live next door to a development have had nothing but trouble recently either.

It would put me off, I would be cautious buying any house (unless on a very large plot) with land around it for this very reason

Thank you for all your valuable advice - really appreciated.
My solicitor knew nothing about it and when I drew his attention to it, he checked land registry and it transpires the site in question was purchased by a development company 2 years ago, so clearly land banking in anticipation and biding their time until conditions are right.
Pulled out of purchase this morning.