Help choosing between two plots

[Lilly2014]

Hi everyone

My husband and I are thinking of making an offer on either plot 64 or 67 in a new build development. We have a cat and her safety is really important to us - though both plots seem safe.

64 is towards the end of a cul-de-sac and faces a meadow (we've been reassured it won't be built on). It has a southwest facing garden. There's potentially enough space to park two cars, with a railing separating the parking area from the neighbour's parking area.

67 is a corner plot with quiet surrounding roads and faces a footpath that leads to the village. It has a southeast facing garden and there's a communal bin collection point just outside the garden. There's space to park one car.

Both plots come with a car barn which we would convert into a garage with a door.

We're buying off plan so haven't seen the houses or gardens yet.

Would love to hear your thoughts - thank you!

I'd go 67. It looks like more space, and more sensible dimensions/ angles.

They say they won't build on the green space behind 64, but how long can they guarantee that. My in laws have just had the field behind theirs built on ten years after buying, they were told it would remain farmland and it did for a while. Now their previously peaceful garden looks on to a building site and the new houses will be staring into their back windows. I think you always have to assume green space is vulnerable to development. Some poor sods were in the paper recently where the green field they'd known for decades at the end of their garden was turned into a giant warehouse. It feels like a gamble that could decrease selling value significantly.

67 for me better garden.

67 looks a better and slightly bigger plot. Also you don't have any houses facing onto your back garden and just car spaces at the back garden which would be a big plus for me.

I would choose 67 as houses on cul de sacs can turn into a car parking nightmare. I also would not want to be in a shared driveway situation. Even one with a railing.

What is a bin collection point?

They will build on that meadow.

another vote for 67 because larger garden and garden a bit less overlooked.

Initially 67 looks better, larger and more private but will it be noisy with passing traffic and more traffic at the side?

I’d go 64, it is more private at the end of the cul de sac and I wouldn’t want a communal bin store at the end of my garden. It might smell in summer and also be noisy when people use them. You’ve also got the meadow to look at which is much nicer than a load of houses.

64 for me - more parking space, no people walking passed on the village path, no pile of bins outside the house once a week, and a southwest facing garden so you get the evening sun as well. I would sacrifice a smaller garden for all of that. Oh and the view of the meadow is a bonus!

64 - no passing traffic. Both gardens look a similar size albeit different shapes. I'd check if the meadow opposite had previously been used for landfill, if so they couldn't build on it. It also depends on your age, the older I get, the smaller a garden I want!

64 if you want more privacy

I’d go 64 as I think it has a nicer outlook over the meadows and less overlooked. 67 would face a lot of traffic passing.

How many cars do you own? I would only buy a property with enough parking for the number of cars I need.

64 definitely. Larger garden, nice gate area into garden . Quieter. Less traffic , no noise from banging bin sheds. However , don’t trust the meadow won’t be built on in future . The road entrance is in place incase it does . With this is mind , I’d still go for 64 . It’s lovely . Let us know which one you choose

Check who owns the garden at front between 64 / 65 and how much of it .

You need to think of visitors aswell. I would go for 64 more parking and quieter. You won't have people passing all the time.

64. Too many roads on 67 from a cat safety point of view.

64 definitely. 67 has all the roads right in front of it

I think it’s 65.
64 hasn’t even got a path. It’s right on the road. And the back garden is surrounded and shares fences with four other houses.

But it’s the parking and shared driveway that is the biggest issue I think. That’s where trouble begins on new estates.

Don’t be skewed by them saying they won’t build on the meadow. We were promised similar when we bought a new build and all the green space around it went.

64 although 67 has a better garden. Have you cjecked that you can convert carport, it is probably a condition of pp that it is as is and covenants may prevent it.

64 as at end of cul de sac so quieter and I wouldn’t want a communal bin store at the end of my garden. The latter would be a deal breaker for me due to potential smells and noise.

Is that a meadow or a recreational space ?

The bin store might stink in summer.

I would not buy off plan, would want to see a place first. You never know for example whether a house will be made sewage central and have 10 man hole covers put in the garden.

It's never 100% clear what a property is going to be like until after it has been built.

64 for me, I can't do road noise.
Is north to the top of the page?

That bit of road leading up to the meadow, is that supposed to be a turning circle or is it actually to extend the road if the meadow gets built on? I wouldn't trust any assurances that it wouldn't, tbh. I'd prefer 67 over 64 although the bin area sounds rather revolting and I wouldn't like that much.

64 has the pleasant aspect of the meadow, but that's not guaranteed and house seems to front the pavement and have next door's land up the side. Most the front of the house seems to overlook the parking bay, although that's just how it looks from the plan, the main windows might be facing the meadow. The garden is a stranger shape.

The only thing that puts me off 67 is the bins area, and at least that's right down the bottom. It's got a more regularly shaped garden which would help if you decide to cat-proof it to keep your cat safely in the garden and a bit of garden at the front. The garage isn't right out in the garden space like 64's is.

As soon as I read "bin collection point" I ruled out that plot.

Then I looked at the plans and felt that actually, if it weren't for the bins, I'd go for the bin plot purely for the garden dimensions and useable, unbroken up space there. But then....bins again. So I don't think I'd choose either.

Are these the only two plots available to you?