Living near a 400kV power line?

Flying Torquewrench · 12-01-2014, 12:50

The missus and I are looking to move house. She has done a lot of research and found a nice house, the problem is that it is 460 feet (140 meters) from a 400kV power line pylon.

Initially she was worried about the negative health implications so we have had a survey done, which showed no increased EMF at the house.

The house is priced very reasonably and the price certainly takes into account that it is near a power line. However it has been on the market now for 2 years and in these two years the vendors have dropped the price by £115.000 and still not a lot of interest.

I have spoken to a friend who is a structural surveyor in the area and he says that it is a very realistic price, taking into account the pylon.

Personally I am not to bothered by the power lines or the pylon, what bothers me is a future sale.

Hence my question, would you buy a house 460 feet (140 meters) away from a power line/pylon?

zippy656 · 12-01-2014, 12:51

Pics...

jims-terrano · 12-01-2014, 13:49

I personally wouldn't be too worried about the presence of the lines however resale is a different matter. It's been for sale for two years already, is that because of the financial climate or because nobody wants to live near the lines?

zippy656 · 12-01-2014, 13:52

If you love the house an area, hav it

Resale is to far away to worry

Flying Torquewrench · 12-01-2014, 14:20

I can't post a photo at the moment. The house is out in the country so a clear unobstructed view of the pylon and power line from anywhere in the garden.

National Grid performed an EMF survey and the results where well below the max allowed.

Health wise we don't worry as we have no young children. What we worry about is resale value, due to my job we are probably looking to move again within the next 10/15 years, possibly earlier.

The house was on the market for £575.000 and they have now dropped to £460.000 in two years. Of course the current market has something to do with it but it can be all down to that.

When we went for a viewing the first thing we noticed was this great big pylon in relatively close proximity. It set my missus off straight away, hence the National Grid survey.

rustic · 12-01-2014, 14:34

This makes interesting reading.

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/library...02-2013-01.pdf

Hooe it helps.

larson · 12-01-2014, 14:58

if there is land and outbuildings included and the house is by fare better than i could afford anywere else i would be moving in....

ilso if i was at the back end of my life i would move in even if there is health implications living close to a pylon. my diet and excersice regeim will kill be long before anything else gets a chance

Flying Torquewrench · 12-01-2014, 15:26

Thanks Rustic, I will have a read through that.

Larson, the difference between this house and a very similar house is about £50.000 so not that much of a difference in the long rung.

The issue we face at the moment is public perception. Everywhere you look on the internet there are horror stories from people living close to power lines. In 2007 there were several ideas muted by the then government to establish a 'safety' zone around these lines. At the moment this is set up for a distance of roughly 60 meters but there is/was a plan to increase this to 200 meters. Obviously if they increase it to 200 meters then it doesn't not mean that the house is uninhabitable as the rules are only applicable to new builds. But we can all understand that such a rule will make it bloody difficult to sell a property which is closer then 200 meters to a high voltage power line.

len peacock · 12-01-2014, 15:46

only one thing to do Walk away when you come to sell you will be in the same boat as thay are

firebobby · 12-01-2014, 17:51

Many years ago when we were looking at our 1st home, we looked at a property close to OHPL's, I didn't really think about them when we had our 1st viewing, but went to see the house again when the air was damp, this time there was a distinct buzzing/crackling noise coming from the lines, this put us off

macabethiel · 12-01-2014, 18:12

When we bought our first house in 1977 we were gazumped on our previous dream house even though it was near a power station with a massive pylon almost in the back garden.

Anyway we missed the purchase we wanted and were happy with the one we bought and after 7 years we moved to our present house.

The one we 'missed' is now no longer near a power station as it was demolished about 20 years ago as it was coal fired.

The pylons have now gone !!

I have it in my mind that many pylons are slowly being removed and the cables put underground.

If its a house for life I would not worry but in a rising market any house will sell pylon or not.

AlexD333 · 12-01-2014, 18:18

Youve got to think of the view too. Is it the big prism metal ones or a wooden one? Apart from that its personal preference. Resale is reslly up to the buyer. Saying no one will buy it is wrong as your thinking of buying it, what I guess im trying to say is, there will always be the right buyer out there. Might just take a bit of time.

Banshee · 12-01-2014, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebobby

Many years ago when we were looking at our 1st home, we looked at a property close to OHPL's, I didn't really think about them when we had our 1st viewing, but went to see the house again when the air was damp, this time there was a distinct buzzing/crackling noise coming from the lines, this put us off

Very good point!!!!!! I'd def factor that in when making your decision!!!

Flying Torquewrench · 12-01-2014, 20:44

Cheers all.

The other problem with the house is that it is not really a family home. It is absolutely fine for the two of us but anymore and it isn't really practical.
It has about 4 acres of land so an elderly couple probably won't buy it either as the land would be to big for most. So with the previous in mind, you are looking at a smaller market anyhow and then add the pylon which will make the market even smaller.

We are not to worried about capital gains etc. but we need to be able to sell the home relatively easy as my job could entail a move overnight. The missus is hunting the internet for some other properties and has come up with a few potential candidates. Personally i am not to worried about the house as long as I got the land.

solarman216 · 17-01-2014, 23:36

There is a lot of public concern over EMF from power lines and like it or not it will have an effect on the sale of this property, whether it is valid or not I do not know, any more than the radiation from your mobile phone, what I as an individual would not accept is if you stood in the dark by this house holding a fluorescent tube, and it lit up I would not be living there, Rick

12-01-2014, 12:50	#1
Flying Torquewrench Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Worcestershire Vehicle: Nissan Patrol Y61 2.8TD Posts: 1,152	Living near a 400kV power line? The missus and I are looking to move house. She has done a lot of research and found a nice house, the problem is that it is 460 feet (140 meters) from a 400kV power line pylon. Initially she was worried about the negative health implications so we have had a survey done, which showed no increased EMF at the house. The house is priced very reasonably and the price certainly takes into account that it is near a power line. However it has been on the market now for 2 years and in these two years the vendors have dropped the price by £115.000 and still not a lot of interest. I have spoken to a friend who is a structural surveyor in the area and he says that it is a very realistic price, taking into account the pylon. Personally I am not to bothered by the power lines or the pylon, what bothers me is a future sale. Hence my question, would *you* buy a house 460 feet (140 meters) away from a power line/pylon?

12-01-2014, 14:34	#6
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	This makes interesting reading. http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/library...02-2013-01.pdf Hooe it helps. __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

12-01-2014, 18:12	#11
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Pylons When we bought our first house in 1977 we were gazumped on our previous dream house even though it was near a power station with a massive pylon almost in the back garden. Anyway we missed the purchase we wanted and were happy with the one we bought and after 7 years we moved to our present house. The one we 'missed' is now no longer near a power station as it was demolished about 20 years ago as it was coal fired. The pylons have now gone !! I have it in my mind that many pylons are slowly being removed and the cables put underground. If its a house for life I would not worry but in a rising market any house will sell pylon or not.

17-01-2014, 23:36	#15
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	There is a lot of public concern over EMF from power lines and like it or not it will have an effect on the sale of this property, whether it is valid or not I do not know, any more than the radiation from your mobile phone, what I as an individual would not accept is if you stood in the dark by this house holding a fluorescent tube, and it lit up I would not be living there, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

12-01-2014, 12:51	#2
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Pics...

12-01-2014, 13:49	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	I personally wouldn't be too worried about the presence of the lines however resale is a different matter. It's been for sale for two years already, is that because of the financial climate or because nobody wants to live near the lines?

12-01-2014, 13:52	#4
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	If you love the house an area, hav it Resale is to far away to worry

12-01-2014, 14:20	#5
Flying Torquewrench Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Worcestershire Vehicle: Nissan Patrol Y61 2.8TD Posts: 1,152	I can't post a photo at the moment. The house is out in the country so a clear unobstructed view of the pylon and power line from anywhere in the garden. National Grid performed an EMF survey and the results where well below the max allowed. Health wise we don't worry as we have no young children. What we worry about is resale value, due to my job we are probably looking to move again within the next 10/15 years, possibly earlier. The house was on the market for £575.000 and they have now dropped to £460.000 in two years. Of course the current market has something to do with it but it can be all down to that. When we went for a viewing the first thing we noticed was this great big pylon in relatively close proximity. It set my missus off straight away, hence the National Grid survey.

12-01-2014, 14:58	#7
larson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: moomin vally Posts: 1,138	if there is land and outbuildings included and the house is by fare better than i could afford anywere else i would be moving in.... ilso if i was at the back end of my life i would move in even if there is health implications living close to a pylon. my diet and excersice regeim will kill be long before anything else gets a chance

12-01-2014, 15:26	#8
Flying Torquewrench Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Worcestershire Vehicle: Nissan Patrol Y61 2.8TD Posts: 1,152	Thanks Rustic, I will have a read through that. Larson, the difference between this house and a very similar house is about £50.000 so not that much of a difference in the long rung. The issue we face at the moment is public perception. Everywhere you look on the internet there are horror stories from people living close to power lines. In 2007 there were several ideas muted by the then government to establish a 'safety' zone around these lines. At the moment this is set up for a distance of roughly 60 meters but there is/was a plan to increase this to 200 meters. Obviously if they increase it to 200 meters then it doesn't not mean that the house is uninhabitable as the rules are only applicable to new builds. But we can all understand that such a rule will make it bloody difficult to sell a property which is closer then 200 meters to a high voltage power line.

12-01-2014, 15:46	#9
len peacock Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: north yorkshire Vehicle: nissan terrano 11 2000 Posts: 36	only one thing to do Walk away when you come to sell you will be in the same boat as thay are

12-01-2014, 17:51	#10
firebobby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South Bucks Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2005 Posts: 3,499	Many years ago when we were looking at our 1st home, we looked at a property close to OHPL's, I didn't really think about them when we had our 1st viewing, but went to see the house again when the air was damp, this time there was a distinct buzzing/crackling noise coming from the lines, this put us off

12-01-2014, 18:18	#12
AlexD333 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Uk Vehicle: 2004 Terrano 2.7 TDI Posts: 7,847	Youve got to think of the view too. Is it the big prism metal ones or a wooden one? Apart from that its personal preference. Resale is reslly up to the buyer. Saying no one will buy it is wrong as your thinking of buying it, what I guess im trying to say is, there will always be the right buyer out there. Might just take a bit of time.

12-01-2014, 20:44	#14
Flying Torquewrench Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Worcestershire Vehicle: Nissan Patrol Y61 2.8TD Posts: 1,152	Cheers all. The other problem with the house is that it is not really a family home. It is absolutely fine for the two of us but anymore and it isn't really practical. It has about 4 acres of land so an elderly couple probably won't buy it either as the land would be to big for most. So with the previous in mind, you are looking at a smaller market anyhow and then add the pylon which will make the market even smaller. We are not to worried about capital gains etc. but we need to be able to sell the home relatively easy as my job could entail a move overnight. The missus is hunting the internet for some other properties and has come up with a few potential candidates. Personally i am not to worried about the house as long as I got the land.