Content © Stopwoodlanewindfarm 2008 - 2011
Guide notes
Case studies
The wind industry have well rehearsed presentations to say that house prices are not affected by proximity of wind turbines.
We cannot compete with the wind industry in terms of resources available and marketing skill.
Our objective is provide you with easy access to reports on the Internet about house prices and how they are affected by wind farms. Common sense says that a house in the country with a 400 foot high industrial structure next to it will be worth less.
Report confirms Pylons cause loss of property value.
An in-depth study of property prices near to over head transmission lines and electricity pylons shows that they reduce property values.
We would expect this, in the same way that we expect a turbine twice as high to reduce property values.
The research was carried out by the same team that conducted some of the research into wind turbines. It is surprising that the authors of the report were able to reach such a clear conclusion about pylons and not find one for turbines which are much larger and more obtrusive.
Lincolnshire - Valuation tribunal accepts loss due to turbines
Jane Davis was granted a reduction on her council tax because of a turbine 1,000
metres away. During the hearing estate agents said no one is likely to buy the home
because of the turbines. The ruling has been seen by the property market as an “effective
admission” that wind farms – often accused of spoiling views and creating annoying
noises – have a negative effect on house prices.
Watch
the BBC News report. Read the press report.
A case has now been taken to the high court seeking full compensation.
Sweden 30% house value fall on planning application going in -
In Denmark there is a compensation scheme whereby the wind farm owners have to pay
homeowners for loss of value of property. Danish owners of holiday homes in Sweden
are complaining that there is no such scheme in Sweden and that holiday homes within
2km of a turbine are un-saleable. An experienced estate agent, after having consulted
many of his Swedish colleagues, informed that just a letter applying for erection
of a wind mill in the vicinity immediately depreciated the value of the property
by 30 per cent.
Read
more here
Texas -25% price drop -
This study was undertaken by looking at pairs of similar properties, with one close
to a turbine and the other well away. They found a 25% drop for houses within 1.8
miles. While there are only a small number there are pictures of the properties and
you can see why such a drop is credible. For example one property is a - 350 acres
ranch/retirement homestead … 27 wind turbines within 1-1/2 mile radius …
• Prospective
buyer agreed to sales price.
• Disclosure of wind turbine project to buyer, Buyer
backed out of offer.
• Seller agreed to 25% discount to Buyer, Buyer declined discounted
offer.
• Little interest in property in spite of other characteristics.
California - house prices reduced by $48,000
A study of 600 property sales showed :-
The days on market was more than double for those properties within a 3 mile windmill
zone
The sold price was on average $48,000 lower inside the windmill zones than those
outside
The number of homes not absorbed (not sold) was 11% vs 3%
Denmark - Compensation scheme for home owners when property value falls due to wind farm
An erector of a wind turbine has a duty to pay compensation for loss of value of real property following the erection of the wind turbine. The size of the loss of value is determined by an appraisal authority
See the Danish Government web site with details of the scheme
Lake District - Seller sued for damages because he did not disclose that an industrial wind power station was planned nearby
District Judge Michael Buckley said that the noise, visual intrusion and flickering of light through the blades of turbines reduced the value of a house by a fifth. He said that the value of a remote house in Marton, in the Lake District, fell significantly because of the construction of a wind farm of seven 40m-high turbines 500 metres away.
As reported in the Times. And the Telegraph
France - Vendor prosecuted for not telling buyer about wind farm plan
‘The judges determined that the seller “knowingly kept silent” about crucial information for establishing the price of the property and the nature of which puts into question the sales contract. The seller “hid from the buyers the existence of the plan for a wind energy park that has a strong chance of seeing the light of day, the construction permit having been signed May 15, 2007, and is therefore not hypothetical …”.’
‘The judgement confirms the visible harm and noise entailed by the proximity of the wind turbines, determining “that the property will experience a loss of value of about 20%”. Therefore the sum of €36,000 was given to the buyers of the maison on the claim of damages and interests, the sum corresponding to the lost market value of the property.’
Mr Joseph Yunk Wisconsin USA - Noise problems leading to loss of property value. Cows died.
Two turbines within half a mile. He suffered severe noise problems. The wind farm company bought out two neighbours properties due to the problems. Ten of his cows died for no apparent reason. He sued the Wind farm company and they eventually settled by buying his property. They then put it back on the market at a 30% discount.
“From my experience in living in this wind farm, it is apparent that setback away from property lines is absolutely necessary. I could hear the turbines a mile away from my house.”
- examples of homes near wind farms losing value
We draw on reports from around the world to show this is not just a UK problem