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Estate agents operating close to potential fracking sites are warning the controversial technique is likely to wipe tens of thousands of pounds off the values of nearby properties and make homes harder to sell, according to a major survey of the industry.
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Property dealers in areas already targeted by fracking companies are also reporting concerns from prospective buyers over looming shale developments, with some sales already falling through as a result.
The findings, published today, come from a survey of 60 estate agents conducted by leading marketing research agency Redshift and commissioned by Greenpeace UK. The respondents are evenly distributed across three key areas where energy firms are planning to carry out fracking: West Sussex, Manchester and Lancashire.
Two-thirds (67%) of the estate agents interviewed say fracking operations could bring down house prices. A majority of them estimate the loss in value to be more than 8-11%, with two agents putting it as high as 41-70%.
With the price of the average house in the UK estimated at £272,000, even just a 10% drop in value could translate into a loss of tens of thousands of pounds.
‘It’s worrying that homeowners who happen to live in fracking zones are being kept in the dark on how fracking will affect them. Some are already starting to bear the brunt through aborted sales and their homes being devalued.
‘The government needs to lead an honest and open debate on fracking and its impact on the local community. Our homes are our most valuable asset and ministers shouldn’t be allowed to ride roughshod over people without any discussion or consultation and only a whiff of compensation.’
Paula Higgins, chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance
A majority of the estate agents surveyed (54%) also say they are concerned fracking could reduce property sales near potential fracking sites. Most of those who say they’re concerned believe more than one in 10 purchases could be affected, with nine dealers putting the estimate as high as 25-50% of all sales.
One in four respondents also say home buyers have expressed concerns about the prospect of fracking in the area, with four estate agents reporting some customers have pulled out as a result.
James Nisbet, who lives a few hundred metres from one of the Lancashire sites where energy firm Cuadrilla is seeking to frack, says a few potential buyers have pulled out of purchasing his £375,000 house after learning about the looming energy development.
‘We have had six viewings so far, all with very positive feedback, but no one wants to commit to buying with the fracking shadow hanging over us. And we’re not alone. I’ve been hearing the same story from quite a few people in the area. We have lived here for 15 years. I really like this place and I don’t want to move, but I also don’t particularly wish to stick around to see what fracking will do to this community.’
James Nisbet, Lancashire
The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is expected to auction off licence blocks to fracking firms over an area covering more than half of Britain just after the general election.
The government has previously stated there’s no evidence that fracking will affect house prices. Yet ministers has so far refused to publish in full a heavily redacted report believed to contain evidence of the shale industry’s impact on the housing market.
‘Why would people believe the mortgage ministers’ promise that shale extraction won’t hit house prices when estate agents disagree and the government is still refusing to publish key evidence?
‘With a highly uncertain election just days away, candidates will have a tough job persuading their constituents that fracking is worth all this pain for so little gain. No wonder over a thousand candidates from all parties have already promised to oppose this risky industry in their constituencies.’
Louise Hutchins, Greenpeace UK energy campaigner
Three-quarters of the estate agents interviewed said fracking should not be permitted until more research is done. All but two (97%) also said the government should publish the redacted report in full.
Use Greenpeace’s interactive map to find out whether your candidate MPs have signed the Frack Free Promise and committed to oppose fracking if they’re elected.
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