Environmental Search from solicitor

[Badgers]

Not sure if anyone here can shed any light on something pertaining to a house purchase

My mum is in the process of buying a house up in Yorkshire on an estate where my sister lives.
She is at the survey phase and had an update from the solicitor which has understandably raised some concerns.

Below is the email copy from the solicitor. There is also a report that she did not send me so I will post that up too.

I attach a copy of the Environmental Search we have obtained for the property for your information. The environmental search examines the sources of potential contamination in terms of historical land use, environmental data and current land use. The result of the search confirms that the level of any risk highlighted by the search is unlikely to have an adverse affect on the value of the property and is not such that the property would be designated “contaminated land”.

The Search has assessed the property as a low flood risk in terms of both flooding from rivers and ground or surface water flooding which is where there is heavy rainfall and the normal drainage system cannot cope with the excess water.

The search will further inform you if there are any existing or planned major energy or infrastructure projects within the vicinity that may impact on your quality of life or the future value of your property and that may need further investigation such as Crossrail & HS2 and renewable energy such as oil/gas explorations (fracking) incl. extraction licenses, wind and solar farms. It will provide details of any compensation scheme that are available and contact details should further information be required.

Please particularly note the Search has revealed planning applications in the vicinity of the property.

The property is on a large estate with a lot of houses on it - Link to location here

What she said to me was that an energy (oil/gas she said but not sure) company owns some land 'near' to the property so is a bit worried. I can't see an oil refinery getting put in the end of her road but can understand why she is nervous about this.

Any input on this? She might be worrying about nothing but has her heart set on this place and it is hopefully the last property she will ever live in.

Cheers

 

[platinumsage]

She needs to look at the search documents herself and ask the solicitor for further information if necessary.

The wording re: the environmental search means that there could be nothing at all, or perhaps something minor like a former petrol station 500 yards away that closed in the 1950s. It's easy to look at the search map and see the details. It seems the solicitor has forwarded this to her.

For planning applications again it could be anything - an off-license application at the end of the road or whatever. Again she should get the details - you can also look up the details yourself on the council's website - they usually have a map search facility.

 

[ricbake]

I think there was something about Rathlin Energy looking to explore for fracking in East Yorkshire - maybe them. Try searching planning applications in the area.

 

[Badgers]

I think there was something about Rathlin Energy looking to explore for fracking in East Yorkshire - maybe them. Try searching planning applications in the area.

Cheers

I thought fracking in the UK was stopped?

Planning applications via the council website I assume?

 

[Poot]

Cheers

I thought fracking in the UK was stopped?

Planning applications via the council website I assume?

Yep.

You can also buy titles from Land Registry to find out who owns any land locally if you're suspicious. It's 3 quid a title. It won't tell you what's planned but it might tell you if it belongs to Big Bob's Fracking Company or something.

 

[platinumsage]

There's nothing of note except a single story extension at number 18, which could well have been built already.

 

[Badgers]

There's nothing of note except a single story extension at number 18, which could well have been built already.

Can't attach a PDF here can I?

 

[Badgers]

I have got this from the report so it is Rathlin Energy


OGA Licensed Exploration Blocks

1 Reference: PEDL183 - On site
Licensee: HUMBER OIL & GAS LIMITED (11117055),
RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED (06478035), UNION JACK OIL PLC (07497220)
Type: Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence
Administrator: RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED
(06478035)

2 Reference: PEDL183 - 1254m
Licensee: HUMBER OIL & GAS LIMITED (11117055),
RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED (06478035), UNION JACK OIL PLC (07497220)
Type: Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence
Administrator: RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED
(06478035)

3 Reference: PEDL183 - 3233m
Licensee: HUMBER OIL & GAS LIMITED (11117055),
RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED (06478035), UNION JACK OIL PLC (07497220)
Type: Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence
Administrator: RATHLIN ENERGY (UK) LIMITED
(06478035)

 

[Badgers]

More from the report:

Professional Opinion
Landmark Information Group have identified Energy & Infrastructure projects that may affect the site or nearby area. These developments and projects have the potential to affect nearby property values. They may also result in added visual impact or noise to the neighbourhood. The impact on property values may also be positive. For instance, being near a new rail link may boost values in the local area.

Recommendations
The site is within 4km of an area licensed by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) for the exploration of oil or gas. The issue of a licence does not mean that exploration or production will definitely happen. You should find out from the company that holds the exploration licence what their plans are to prospect for oil and gas in the local area. A lot of this information can be obtained by carrying out an internet search using the licence reference and operator name.

Before any drilling activities can begin, the operator must first get planning permission. You may also contact the Local Authority to get details of any current planning applications near to the site.
The search is limited to the following factors: High Speed 2 (HS2), Crossrail 1 and 2, Wind Farms and Turbines, Solar Farms, Other Renewable Power Plants, Areas Licensed for Exploration of Oil and Gas, Oil and Gas Drilling Wells. There may be other forms of energy developments planned in your area - you should contact your Local Authority for further information.

 

[hegley]

Also worth investigating history of flooding? Getting a quote for insurance might throw up some red flags. https://www.getthedata.com/flood-map/molescroft

 

[Badgers]

More here:

Yorkshire | Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited

This area of East Yorkshire is crossed by pipelines carrying gas from the North Sea and Europe to fuel the energy needs of the population and industry locally and beyond in England and Wales. Gas is also stored underground for the UK market at Aldbrough by SSE and Statoil and near Hornsea by...

www.rathlin-energy.co.uk

LATEST COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE NOTES

https://www.rathlin-energy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/West-Newton-Community-Liaison-Committee-Meeting-Notes-21-May-2020.pdf

 

[Badgers]

Also worth investigating history of flooding? Getting a quote for insurance might throw up some red flags. https://www.getthedata.com/flood-map/molescroft

From the report:

The property is considered to be at minimal or no risk of flooding. However, you should ask the seller if the property has flooded in the past. The home buyer may wish to visit the online viewer to explore the surrounding area.

Professional Opinion
Landmark Information Group have identified the property to be within an area that is at a low to moderate risk of
flooding. This means that although there is some indication of a possible flood risk, this would be an infrequent
event or in the event of flooding, the water depth is likely to be low.

 

[platinumsage]

More from the report:

Professional Opinion
Landmark Information Group have identified Energy & Infrastructure projects that may affect the site or nearby area. These developments and projects have the potential to affect nearby property values. They may also result in added visual impact or noise to the neighbourhood. The impact on property values may also be positive. For instance, being near a new rail link may boost values in the local area.

Recommendations
The site is within 4km of an area licensed by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) for the exploration of oil or gas. The issue of a licence does not mean that exploration or production will definitely happen. You should find out from the company that holds the exploration licence what their plans are to prospect for oil and gas in the local area. A lot of this information can be obtained by carrying out an internet search using the licence reference and operator name.

Before any drilling activities can begin, the operator must first get planning permission. You may also contact the Local Authority to get details of any current planning applications near to the site.
The search is limited to the following factors: High Speed 2 (HS2), Crossrail 1 and 2, Wind Farms and Turbines, Solar Farms, Other Renewable Power Plants, Areas Licensed for Exploration of Oil and Gas, Oil and Gas Drilling Wells. There may be other forms of energy developments planned in your area - you should contact your Local Authority for further information.

These licenses cover huge areas. The PED183 one covers all this: PEDL183

None of the three sites currently being investigated are anywhere near the house. The nearest is Crawberry Hill to the east of Beverley: Crawberry Hill

 

[Badgers]

These licenses cover huge areas. The PED183 one covers all this: PEDL183

None of the three sites currently being investigated are anywhere near the house. The nearest is Crawberry Hill to the east of Beverley: Crawberry Hill

Cheers, that is a help

I think she has a vision of oil derricks next to her back garden pumping 24 hours a day and black gold spraying all over her conservatory

 

[platinumsage]

Cheers, that is a help

I think she has a vision of oil derricks next to her back garden pumping 24 hours a day and black gold spraying all over her conservatory

They would need a separate planning application before starting a new site, which could happen anywhere where there is space. The best way of avoiding this and other developments is not to buy a house backing on to open land, or with open land at the end of the road.

They aren’t going to demolish a whole area of suburban Beverley to set up a fracking site.

 

[equationgirl]

Fracking was my first guess, although there's a lot of renewable energy infrastructure and microgrids being set up across the country as the energy industry changes. Even then, a lot of that relies on existing substations at the right voltage so unless she's looking at buying a house near a big 400kV substation surrounded by open land, she'll probably be fine.

I would be more worried about flooding risk personally.

 

[Badgers]

In a wacky twist of fate I won't bore you with (two my mum moving threads already ffs) the seller pulled out (then tried not to but it is off) so she now has an offer accepted on another in the same estate.

Now she has surveys back warning of 'significant flood risk' and more tearful panicking phone calls the place is nearby on a big development which my sister already lives on. Have done the good son calming phone call and looked at the Environment Agency reporting etc. Looks like caution rather than warning to me but if I was to put up some details anyone think it is worth looking at?

Sorry to ask for free advice. It is a shitty thing to do but it is a shitty time for her and am keeping a close watch on the auld lass as I should.

 

[Pickman's model]

In a wacky twist of fate I won't bore you with (two my mum moving threads already ffs) the seller pulled out (then tried not to but it is off) so she now has an offer accepted on another in the same estate.

Now she has surveys back warning of 'significant flood risk' and more tearful panicking phone calls the place is nearby on a big development which my sister already lives on. Have done the good son calming phone call and looked at the Environment Agency reporting etc. Looks like caution rather than warning to me but if I was to put up some details anyone think it is worth looking at?

Sorry to ask for free advice. It is a shitty thing to do but it is a shitty time for her and am keeping a close watch on the auld lass as I should.

give us something to do to pass the time

 

[Badgers]

give us something to do to pass the time

Time is all we have old friend x

 

[StoneRoad]

Seems odd that the same development should have both "low to moderate" and "significant" flood risk, unless it includes a valley bottom as well as somewhere higher up / more sloped. Actually, perhaps the new place is just closer to the natural drainage courses ....

 

[Poot]

It's not below road level or anything, is it?

 

[Badgers]

It's not below road level or anything, is it?

Nope. If anything it is a bit elevated.

 

[equationgirl]

Have the places with these two risks been identified Badgers? Otherwise it sounds like some kind of generic cut and paste mistake by the report creator. You could try to find out if there have actually ever been floods in that area?

 

[Badgers]

Have the places with these two risks been identified Badgers? Otherwise it sounds like some kind of generic cut and paste mistake by the report creator. You could try to find out if there have actually ever been floods in that area?

I am certain it is that. She is just generally anxious about everything (even the curtains ffs).

Have mentioned the same to her but just looking for some facts to calm her. Will post up the solicitors stuff shortly.

 

[equationgirl]

I am certain it is that. She is just generally anxious about everything (even the curtains ffs).

Have mentioned the same to her but just looking for some facts to calm her. Will post up the solicitors stuff shortly.

I shall look forward to it.

 

[kabbes]

Having spent ten years fighting an oil exploration that is NOT fracking, I can tell you that there is a lot more to be worried about with oil than just fracking. For a start, the exploration phase is often more harmful than the extraction phase. You’re talking the establishment of a major industrial site, involving potentially hundreds of large trucks coming and going (and parking and using local roads as holding areas). You’re also talking flaring and noise. The extraction phase is similarly industrialisation even if it isn’t fracking. And yes, planning must be sought but there is a presumption of it being granted in reality if not (wholly) in law. So I wouldn’t rely on the ability to stop it.

 

[Badgers]

Having spent ten years fighting an oil exploration that is NOT fracking, I can tell you that there is a lot more to be worried about with oil than just fracking. For a start, the exploration phase is often more harmful than the extraction phase. You’re talking the establishment of a major industrial site, involving potentially hundreds of large trucks coming and going (and parking and using local roads as holding areas). You’re also talking flaring and nose. The extraction phase is similarly industrialisation even if it isn’t fracking. And yes, planning must be sought but there is a presumption of it being granted in reality if not (wholly) in law. So I wouldn’t rely on the ability to stop it.

Cheers Kabbes.

Given how things are in this country I expect that most locations will be over-developed, fracked, oiled, drilled, wind-farmed, compulsory purchased, looted and flooded

 

[Badgers]

She can't work out how to forward an email so am speaking to the solicitors

 

[co-op]

Seems odd that the same development should have both "low to moderate" and "significant" flood risk, unless it includes a valley bottom as well as somewhere higher up / more sloped. Actually, perhaps the new place is just closer to the natural drainage courses ....

It looks like it depends which end of the road it is (assuming its Marchant Close) - so depends on how the property was categorised by whoever did the search. One end is "high risk", the other "very low", although the whole area is pretty low lying and liable to get cut off.

Check the long term flood risk for an area in England

How to check the long term flood risk for an area in England, assess risk from rivers and sea, surface water, reservoirs, ground water.

flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk

 

[kabbes]

Cheers Kabbes.

Given how things are in this country I expect that most locations will be over-developed, fracked, oiled, drilled, wind-farmed, compulsory purchased, looted and flooded

The good news is that oil is so cheap now and so on its way out in the long run that onshore development is becoming uneconomic.

... but the other things you mention are getting worse