What would you do if your view was taken?

Feets

Hi there, just looking for different ideas as I'm a little stumped.
The back of our bungalow looks onto a racecourse. There is a road up to the racecourse behind our back garden. There is no obstruction to our view which is the racecourse and then hills. It's a great view and as I'm a sahm I am home most days and I love love the view. There is a new development being built close to us. Started with 13 houses, now if they get built the developer has put in for another 26 houses. The odd thing is is that he is 'in talks to buy a strip of land and build houses on it' according to someone in the know. That strip is zoned open plan and amenity and is behind my house.
It may sound dramatic but I think I would move house as the view makes the house.
We were maybe going to do a refurb soon but I think I might not put the money into it now.
I can't think of many options as the developer is well in with the council, I don't know how close he is to buying the land yet.

I feel I have two options, use some savings to buy a bit of the land he was to build on. ?.if that is viable and not too expensive.
Or object from now until the end. I don't feel the need to object to the 26 houses he is looking to build but I might have to. I have no grounds that I know of other then a ring road was supposed to be built and it was put on ice even though the other 3/4 of the road got built.
Any advice or experience from anyone?

Strolling Bones

No one has a right to a view , sorry.

If you have a concren hire an architect to study the plans lodged for planning and make comments on your behalf and you might - might - influence some consideration of your resdential amentity. But you won't stop any development over a view.

kkelliher

have to agree with strolling bones. You own your house but you didn't buy the exclusive rights to the view. I always say to clients that if there is grass in the area behind/beside their house, you should expect that someday there will be a house there. As in most cases thats what happens.

hallo dare

All you can do is object to the council when the time comes.

If it's passed by the council you can go to A.B.P and raise an objection there at a cost of somewhere in the €200 region I think. That will at least stall any developments.

All this comes at a cost, as you will need someone to draw up an objection plan if you want to make the best possible case against this development.

Feets

Thanks for ur input folks:)

Drift

Just to add for someone to be "well in" with the planners is extremely rare in the modern climate of openess and transparency. Any comment/objection you would raise would almost certainly be given a fair hearing.

Having said that no-one is entitled to a view so if you object based on it ruining your view you will get nowhere.

If it is zoned amenity the council would have to materially contravene the development plan to allow houses to be built on it. This is possible but it's rare and they would need very good reasons. It would also be a strong reason to object to ABP if permission was given.

But to sum up: If you have the money and you want the view - buy it. It's the safest way.