[Help] Planning, Topography, Eastbourne

[Moshe Gariani]

Expertise in one or more of the thread title aspects would be much appreciated.

We are house-hunting and have been assured by a 17 year old Estate Agent about an area of woodland that "Nothing will ever be built there. It is owned by the council and they just won't. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't sell it for development as the land slopes too much and can't be built on."

How can one go about exploring the veracity of these assertions?

Grateful for any advice.

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

Pretty sure that this is the land you are referring to which I believe has been sold for development. https://property.shw.co.uk/property...East-Sussex-BN21-1XR-Development-Residential-
It looks like a planning application for 18 revisedcto 22 houses has been submitted and approved.
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/new...ent-for-eastbourne-chalk-pit-approved-4222462

 

[AZ Gull]

Expertise in one or more of the thread title aspects would be much appreciated.

We are house-hunting and have been assured by a 17 year old Estate Agent about an area of woodland that "Nothing will ever be built there. It is owned by the council and they just won't. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't sell it for development as the land slopes too much and can't be built on."

How can one go about exploring the veracity of these assertions?

Grateful for any advice.

I was in that exact neck of the woods for two weeks over Christmas, as my sister lives just out of picture (in Glendale Avenue).

 

[Sorrel]

There previously has been plenty more green space around there, and back along the road where Westlords used to be. I would not believe anyone who told you that.

Check on the council planning website.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Pretty sure that this is the land you are referring to which I believe has been sold for development. https://property.shw.co.uk/property...East-Sussex-BN21-1XR-Development-Residential-
It looks like a planning application for 18 revisedcto 22 houses has been submitted and approved.
https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/new...ent-for-eastbourne-chalk-pit-approved-4222462

WOW..!!! That is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on this information. It is extremely relevant and reveals that both the estate agents and vendors of our house target may have "unintentionally misled" us when we asked about the area.

Looking at the detailed plans they are claiming the development is on the flat base of the quarry and that all of the trees/vegetation on the slopes and edges of the site will be maintained so there is no visual impact on any surrounding properties.

 

[Gabbiano]

These days most planning authorities (although not all), will have an online policy map which can tell you if any piece of land in the district has planning designations or restrictions and what those are.

There is also usually a planning application search which you can view in map format, which you can use to find the planning history of the site in question. For older applications you might just find the decision notice but newer ones will contain all the application documentation.

 

[BrightonCottager]

These days most planning authorities (although not all), will have an online policy map which can tell you if any piece of land in the district has planning designations or restrictions and what those are.

There is also usually a planning application search which you can view in map format, which you can use to find the planning history of the site in question. For older applications you might just find the decision notice but newer ones will contain all the application documentation.

This. (I write as another planner). Caveat Emptor (buyer beware). Never trust an estate agent's view nor necessarily a solicitor doing a basic search to reveal what may be in the planning pipeline. Those trees surrounding the quarry floor could be felled unless there's a Tree Preservation Order or its in a Conservation Area or there's a specific condition attached to the planning permission.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

WOW..!!! That is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on this information. It is extremely relevant and reveals that both the estate agents and vendors of our house target may have "unintentionally misled" us when we asked about the area.

Looking at the detailed plans they are claiming the development is on the flat base of the quarry and that all of the trees/vegetation on the slopes and edges of the site will be maintained so there is no visual impact on any surrounding properties.

Check with the local council planning department. If you feeling particularly vindictive, try a freedom of information question, although they should be able to respond to a general inquiry about planning permissions in that area without resorting to a FoI.