An overgrown garden in a trendy seaside town has raised eyebrows after going on the market for an eye-watering price.
Homes along the road, just steps from Whitstable’s beach in Kent, are among the most coveted, offering breathtaking ocean vistas.
Many feature floor-to-ceiling windows which capture panoramic vistas across the estuary – selling for up to £1.6m.
But locals have been ‘stunned’ to find one overgrown plot – without any property built on it – has been listed for £1m.
Whitstable is known for its bohemian shops, quaint pubs, fisherman hut B&Bs and for being one of the oyster capitals of Britain.
Every summer, thousands of tourists are drawn to its pebble-strewn beaches, and it has become a preferred retreat for A-list celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Ed Sheeran, David Beckham, and Aaron Paul.
While affluent buyers might view this coastal area as a prime chance to reside on one of the South East’s most renowned shorelines, there are two significant considerations they must face beforehand.
A ‘jungle’ seafront plot in Whitstable, Kent, has gone on the market for £1m – despite no planning permission to actually build on the land
The land is near the sea but a busy railway line separates it from the beach
The seafront at the bottom of the garden, separated by a busy railway line
While the plot is next to the beach there is a busy railway line that separates it from the sea.
The property listing indicates that the land has the potential for ‘one or more’ homes, though Canterbury City Council has not yet approved any planning permissions.
Residents on the street have said anyone thinking of splashing the cash on the plot should think twice.
Patricia Foltynie, 80, fears any property next door may subside and even collapse into hers.
She told the Daily Mail: ‘Mine was built in 1904. We are on a downward slope and so would any property next door. It creates a lot of issues.
‘I’d urge caution before aspiring to build any new residence on this spot. I’m in favor, mainly because the overgrown plants encroach on my garden.
‘But I think it could create issues. It would have great views. There is no doubt of that. But I think it would need a lot of work.
‘Consider that if you’re purchasing the plot for £1m. My home experienced subsidence, and we’ve dedicated substantial time, money, and effort to address it.’
Patricia said it was important ‘proper work’ was done to ensure its safety. She added: ‘I’m OK with it but as long as it goes ahead OK.
‘As long as the groundwork would not disrupt my groundwork.
‘That would be a nightmare. It would mean the end of my house. It would collapse.
‘I have grandchildren, with those prices I am not sure how they could get on the property ladder.’
Local Darren Owen, 50, said he believed the price was ‘off the scale’.
The listing suggests the land could be suitable for ‘one or more’ houses, but Canterbury City Council has yet to grant any form of planning consent
Locals were ‘stunned’ to find one overgrown plot is going for the eyewatering price of £1m
Molly Hall, 29, who works in the nearby pub, said: ‘I support it. The land is currently an eye-sore’
He said: ‘That seems very mad to me. I cannot see in this climate what sort of profit you’d be getting back from that.
‘What about houses for locals? There’s many younger people under 40 trying and working really hard.’
Jack and Julie Kenny live on the road but lost their sea view due to another development which blocked it.
Julie, a tai chi teacher, said: ‘I think that’s crazy. The price is mad. There’s some logic in it being one million if it was straight on the beach.
‘You’d probably be able to value any house at £1.5m and you’d make a really good profit.
‘But as you have a long walk to the beach, despite being able to see it, I don’t think one million pounds, with no planning permission makes any sense.
‘We did have a similar view and then another development got rid of it.’
Jack added: ‘It’s very bizarre. I don’t know how one million pounds can be justified.
‘I feel like it’s far too much. It makes no sense.’
Another local said: ‘I have no doubt itwill be another overpriced house for people from London to come and live in.
‘Nothing is done to back and support hardworking local people. What about people who have worked here all their lives and put back in for decades?
‘They cannot get on the property ladder. But developers and landowners can justify putting a million pound price tag on a jungle to make some profit.
‘It makes me angry.’
Molly Hall, 29, who works in the nearby pub, said: ‘I support it. The land is currently an eye-sore.’
Estate agent Christopher Hodgson said: ‘This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a potential development site in a prime sea-facing position on the seaward side of Joy Lane, one of Whitstable’s most desirable roads.
‘The site offers considerable scope for redevelopment with one or more new dwellings (subject to all necessary consents and approvals being obtained), which would benefit from magnificent views of the sea and across Whitstable Bay.
‘Inspiration can be drawn from recent developments in the immediate vicinity. Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries relating to planning matters via Canterbury City Council.’
