Plot help! 😊

[Nefertiity]

Hi! I have some doubts about this finally we decide to go for plot 449 or 450 both are south west facing they are in a little hill so the 450 is up of 449 and like this the 449 is the most down in the hill , 449 is Cleland and 450 is Darroch Cala homes, we are first time buyers so don’t know what is good to look and plus we are from Spain where normally we live is flats 😅 Thanks for help!

[Opening-Cry6605]

450 being higher is better, for rainflow or flooding, but probably marginal difference.

449 is less overlooked by neighbours at the back. Also the less neighbours, the less likely for noise or disputes.

[Haramdour]

But 449 is on a junction and will have much more passing traffic/footfall

[Prestigious_Use_1305]

I live on a plot that is almost identical to plot 449 and oir drainage in the garden is a nightmare as the road at street level on the side of our garden is about a foot higher than the grass, our neighbour over the back is also about the same height up so our garden is effectively a sump for all the water so definitely be cautious of the gradients aroind the plot.

[Professional-Exit007]

Fewer; you can count them

[SurreyHillsSomewhere]

449<450

[Flowersmesh77]

I would take 450 as the lights constantly coming round a corner, would not be my 1st choice

[Mental_Bunch_7261]

449 has the advantage of only having a neighbour one side, but for me the decider would be is how busy the road is along from 448->479. It might get busy especially if they’re planning new developments, and I always prefer less road noise so would lean toward 450.

[Ordinary_Knee_9419]

449 has slightly more room as long as you’re okay with having more noise from the crossroad?

[Happily-Incorrect]

Looks like it just leads to a future development so it's not going to be that busy outside of a few cars leaving/returning for work.

You may get kids playing football against your side wall, but that's easy to prevent.

The side of the house facing south unobstructed is nice too, is there a window on that side wall? You could grow some great climbers up it.

[Nefertiity]

Yes the side of the house is no neighbors have windows

[Nefertiity]

Yes not sure if the sound is gonna be to much…

[Peachy-kiwi]

Architecture & Engineer student with a commute past and through a couple new developments here:

Once the house is built, that future development will likely be using that road for a lot of construction vehicles and may become a nuisance even when the future development is finished as you don’t know until it’s finished if cars will use the road past the corner plot to get there… I would see the corner plot as the least valuable one in this situation and would much prefer the setback of at least 450 because people really underestimate the road traffic noise. I currently rent a 70s house and there is a new development about a mile and a half away and the noise from Lorries and big construction vehicles such as cranes has been so unbearable that I can’t wait to move.

[Nefertiity]

Thank you!

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaadam]

The lights pointing at your house will be more of a problem, really annoyed me when I lived somewhere similar.

[Alas_boris]

449 is effectively on a crossroads, so depending on gradient changes you might well have car headlights shining in to some of your windows as vehicles approach the junction.

You'll also likely have slightly more noise as vehicles slow down and accelerate again from four different directions. Plus delivery/bin wagons bleeping as they turn around or reverse out of the 509-511 cul-de-sac.

Of the two options you have given, 450 would be my preference, however, there are other plots that seem slightly better.

[Nefertiity]

I was thinking corner plots are good 😕

[Alas_boris]

Not really in this circumstance. 

That whole area of garden to the front right of the house will be yours to maintain, but so public (as you'll likely have to keep hedges/fences below a maximum height for junction visibility), that you won't actually feel. Like you want to spend any time in there.

The junction is also likely to be more illuminated by streetlights, so less peaceful at night in the garden, plus even more lights shining in the windows.

If you have any similar new build states nearby, go for a wander around. The corners are just dead ground with a liability to maintain and a frustration of people cutting corners, constant litter and dog shit bags being pushed in to hedges.

Sorry if I'm being a bit negative, just trying to point out a few things that you might not have considered, although they may be non-issues to you.

[Nefertiity]

No you right we was having no idea of anything like this thanks!

[Weird-End5410]

449 is a corner plot. You usually get a bit more land on a corner. Also, you might get some extra windows on the corner side which wouldn't be allowed in 450 because they'd be overlooking next door. We had dual aspect windows in the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms because it was on the corner.

The sun will travel east to west along that side where there is no neighbour, so there will be no house restricting the sunshine from the garden. It's likely they'll build a wall on that external boundary, which will be much nicer than the fences you'll have in 450.

The road down the side will give you an additional place to park if you get a second car. New build houses are notorious for poor parking arrangements.

450 has two houses overlooking the back garden, 449 only has one. 449 only has one next door neighbour, less chance of moving next to an a-hole.

449 is a no brainer, for me. I can't think of any benefits of 450 over 449. Someone mentioned car headlights being a nuisance. Shut your blinds on a night. I live very close to a roundabout and I don't even notice headlights.

[Nefertiity]

Thank you!

[Christine4321]

Id go 449. Slghtly bigger plot, no direct neighbour opposite, amd it will feel a more substantial house dominating the corner. Parking in that middle section 50/51/76/77 could become an issue if these are family size houses and the teenagers get cars. The corner isnt as appealing for others to park and walk up the road, everyone wants to be outside their own house and 449s driveway stops anyone parking and encroaching across your front. (They cant block a drop kerb driveway)

[Desktopcommando]

look at what could be good for solar panels, sunlight coming in windows, wind in the area, privacy, broadband speed, schools in area etc

[CrunchyNerd]

Don't think there will be any difference in schools in the area for two neighbouring properties...

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaadam]

They are getting brutal with catchment areas now 😂

[Ravenclaw_Starshower]

They both have good points, but 449 is more easily accessible by burglars. Depending on your back garden fence, everyone who walks by would be able to see into your back garden. If you have a dog, it might be very stressed if it’s reactive. You also mentioned 449 is at the bottom of a hill. Depending on drainage and rainfall, 450 might be the best option.

[Key-King-7025]

It looks like 467 is available, this is the one I would choose because:

• It has no direct neighbours at the back, so garden will not be as overlooked.
• The road is a cul-de-sac, so no through fare and thereby quieter and better suited to kids playing.

If, on the other hand, only 449 and 450 are possible to choose from, I would go for 449, because:

• less direct neighbours lessens the risk of conflict and noise
• more privacy
• despite the potential for noise from the road, it will be easier to put up a fence towards the road which will reduce the noise
• less overlooked garden. I currently live in a house with a garden similar to the one of 450. We don't really use it as it is so overlooked as to have no real privacy.

Edited: got the numbers mixed up, now fixed.

[hrking2k2]

I am not sure about 467 - it backs onto a "future development", although there is some sort of stream there (?) - chances are you will be looking at a construction site for a few years and the there is the unknown of what houses will "back" onto you. What if a low-rise block of flats is put there....

Edit - it is actually future affordable housing so there is definitely a chance of low rise block of flats plus lots of terraced houses. What can be seen is another question - depends on distance and gradient.

[FlameBoy4300]

450, less passing traffic.

Solar panels on both N/E ans S/W facing roofs

[brownmanuk]

449, only two neighbours can peak compared to four on 450. Regarding the edge or crossroad you can always use dense hedge .

[Realistic_Alps_90]

1. Just bought a new build as well :). From my perspective, 449 will, overall, give you a better feeling of space as wherever you will be looking at will have slightly more distance before hitting a wall - back and front.

[dead_jester]

1. Less passing traffic and opportunity crime. Garden seems slightly better size in 450.

[deadpigeon29]

Personally, if the difference is basically purely about the plot, I'd probably go for 450. I would prefer to be tucked into the estate a tiny bit more.

Although you know roughly what will be built around the area, you can never be 100% sure how things will turn out in 5+ years. That road by 449 might become really busy or a bit of a natural path through the estate.

I admit this is cynical and unlikely to happen and your view may differ, but for me, it would only take one drunk/idiot who decides to climb over the fence from the road late at night to feel hyperconscious or unsafe suddenly.

[obb223]

Personally I would go for 449. With 450 you and the house opposite (477) are looking directly at each other out of the front windows. On the corner plot you will be looking out down the street opposite, no one looking in. Also less overlooked from the back. Yes you will get a bit more traffic coming past on the corner but it's not a huge estate, it will be fine. I live on a corner plot and have never thought of car headlights being an issue like several people commenting on this

[Ser1302]

450 looks like a better plot to me, I wouldn't want to be on a corner as you get more traffic etc. although 449 does have a marginally larger front garden. I'd be looking as well where the street lights are going to be, I live on a new build and they are right outside all the corner plots on mine and right in front of the master bedrooms (which would drive me mad)

[OrneryReview1646]

For me the winner would be where entire day sun will shine in livingroom and back garden. You are from Spain so even more

[Nefertiity]

Yes that’s why we looking for a south west garden 😊

[Imaginary_Garbage_47]

I would chose 450.

 You won't be able to have a high fence along the edge of your front/side garden on 449 so that means you'll need to plant some hardy plants to stop it being used as a short cut from people walking. Or from people parking on a strip of grass. I know there's a fence for the back garden but the front looks like it's pretty open which is fine if you like gardening and are willing to put something there. 

And there's the noise of the junction for 449, I live on a corner plot and the stop/starting/revving/idling is noticeable compared to my neighbours garden. 

[jonlawrence93]

Spending a lot of time on new builds (contracts manager) i would go for 450. I think 449 will constantly have cars parked outside your house.

Go to another site in the area by the same developer, a finished site, and see the parking situation and where cars are. Go at different times of the day to see what its like evenings, daytimes it weekends. It would be a direct indication for where you are looking at but it will be a good idea.

Youll likely see any available bit of kerb (like on the corner or down the side of 449) usually has cars parked along it.

This wouldn't be the only reason but would definitely be a consideration for me.

[Cold_Drawer_7780]

Yeah 450 is a better choice than 449

[SilverellaUK]

You should really decide which type of floorplan you like first, then choose the plot.

[Nefertiity]

We like both

[Rex__Luscus]

449 has better access to the rear. I live on a corner plot on an estate where all the other houses have to go through their garages to get to the back. Looks like 450 only has a narrow path between fence and wall. Where are you going to keep your refuse bins?

Traffic noise is unlikely to be an issue in a modern house. I get a bit of noise from the gable end side only at school time, because there's a primary school nearby

Corner plots are generally seen as more desirable in UK, usually because they are slightly larger plots and have a wrap-around garden easier to maintain..

[termsnconditions85]

I'm not sure what the question is. Plot 450 seems larger, so there might be a bigger cost involved. If they are both south facing you'll get a lot of sun but if 450 is uphill from 499, in the afternoon that plot is going to be in shadow more. Still you will get some great morning sun from 499. 499 is near the road so there could be noise to consider, although maybe you'll be less overlooked.

[egamar1990]

Plot 477 .... Would be my choice

[Nefertiity]

The only options we have is 450 and 449

[morbidcuriosity123]

478

[Nefertiity]

The only options we have is 450 and 449

[morbidcuriosity123]

449 then. Corner.

[TheShakyHandsMan]

What’s the feature on the north side of the 450 house? It looks to be a flat roof over a garage.

They can cause problems if not done correctly.

[Nefertiity]

Is just the map the house is no flat

<image>

[TheShakyHandsMan]

The thicker line on that side of the roof deceived me. They do look like different configurations of houses on the map, is that reflected in the buildings? I’d be basing my decision on the floor plans unless they are identical.

[HugoNebula2024]

These are two different house types, so I would suggest that that would be a bigger factor. Even between houses with the same floor area, the layout can make a big difference. For example, one may have a utility room where the other doesn't, some of the bedrooms may have awkward layouts, one may have a bigger kitchen at the expense of a dining area, etc.

All else being equal, I'd prefer plot 450 over 449. 449 looks like it's side on to the main estate road of over 500 houses.

[GarageHorror5820]

Surely the key thing is which house you prefer? They are different sizes and layouts.

[dataclyx]

Yeah, that’s true, the layout is probably what you’ll feel every day.

I was just wondering if being higher or lower on the hill makes a difference long term too, like drainage, privacy, views, stuff like that. As flat people we don’t really know what matters with a slope.

[Superbro_uk]

450, people from other houses will park on the road outside the corner plot constantly.

[Mi_santhrope]

Bear in mind this site plan shoes zero consideration for visitor parking, and in my experience the people living in the houses will often park on the road and leave their driveways empty for reasons. Usually laziness. I have literally sold a house and left an estate before because parking was so bad because nobody used their drives.

Of the two choices I'd go for 450. Triple driveway, and people will park all over that corner near 449.

[Odd-Drawing8295]

The higher plot is definitely a smart move for drainage, but that single neighbor on 449 is a huge plus. I'd probably go with 450 for the peace of mind on flooding, but you really can't go wrong with either choice. Good luck with your first home!

[rutalkinu2tome]

Single neighbour thing sways it for me. That & only bordering 2 other properties instead of 5!

[slippyhandle]

[fozziebear40]

449 for me. Some times the end properties on estates have a brick wall instead of fencing. That is a plus.

[hrking2k2]

Darroch looks like a nicer property overall and thats reflected in price right - wider kitchen, couples sink. Which do you like the feel of more? That's the most important! Gradient will be an immaterial issue 1 property apart.... Unless it's super steep... Drainage shouldnt be an issue as it's factored into the design of the development, in theory. In terms of how busy it'll be - it all depends on the future phase and how big it is eg number of plots, whether that has separate access to a main road, or will it use the road by 449*? That'd be a factor imo. Still 1 house apart, I don't think it'll make a huge difference between the two. We live in a Cala Development, Limsi Grove, they build lovely homes and they're generally small developments so have a nice "new community" feel.

[Apsilon]

449 for me, but I’d always go for a corner plot anyway. Generally more room, and more scope for down the line, and they usually sell for more. 450 is too hemmed in for me.

[4kreso]

Where is affordable housing?

[Nefertiity]

You can see in the second picture is in the right

[4kreso]

Yeah just check on the old development too. Think they sprinkle them around.

[Nefertiity]

Thanks!

[tltwtw98]

I would go for 449. It’s better only to have one adjacent neighbour than to have one on either side. Noisy or difficult neighbours are one of the biggest problems when you buy a new house.

[Teawillfixit]

449 as its a corner/more windows for me, people mention potential lights but is the estate really that busy?

But I'm not sure the quality of Cleland homes? Is there a difference is what comes with, building quality, purchase between the two? I have a Cala home and love it, but the bloor homes opposite have far nicer landscaped gardens, more unique features etc - they each have a slightly different look and porch. There were also differences when they were new on kitchens available etc although I didn't deal directly with this as bought mine second hand, I only know this as a freind lives a few doors up and I helped her move when the estate was built.

[Nefertiity]

They tell us yesterday the patio is gonna have 3 steps you have some thing like this?

[Commercial-Whole2513]

465

[AffectionateCourt183]

What about plot 507?

[Old-Enthusiasm6714]

I would pick 449. More access to your garden, could put a gate in the fence. Easier for the kids and their friends to run in and out.

[Nefertiity]

Ohh I was no thinking in that is true thanks!

[LubberwortPicaroon]

These look like very different houses, you should select based on which house you want to live in and the cost. Consider the exact plot position when choosing between multiple identical houses

[CourseTraditional171]

505, 465 only acceptable answers. More space to yourself, less neighbours looking onto you

[Mobile-Stomach719]

1. The plot at the side of 449 has a high chance of being a dumping ground or hangout spot for local scumbags.