Sarah

Thank you all for your replies. The planned development is in St Sernin de Duras, 47120. At the moment we have decided to write our letter of objection, but it seems such a little action to take in the face of such a huge project!  I keep hearing that it is outline planning permission and that nothing will come of it...so fingers crossed! Thanks again for your comments....I shall try to be positive as suggested! Kind regards Sarah 

I am hoping that someone is able to supply information on large scale development/ acquisition of land at a local level. As a background, I have just joined my parents in the SW, along with my two children. However, the initial excitement has been soured by a surprise application to the local Mairie for outline permission to build a golf course and 800 houses. From the plans, it would appear that our property is to built-up on 3 sides. Throughout this side of the commune there are plans for 4 'villages'. We are all in a state of shock as there has been no warning or letter from the Mairie, indeed, if we hadn't of bumped into someone whilst out shopping, we wouldn't have heard about the plans on show. 800 houses seems a collosal amount in a commune that boasts 350 inhabitants at present. As is to be expected, rumours are rife. There is rumour that 800 houses is a deliberate 'over' calculation on behalf of the developer, who knows he won't get that many but will be happy with half that amount.Another rumour says that the golf course is a deliberate red herring, there are plans for another 3 locally and a well established golf course is desperately short of members, any business man would have discovered this in his research. It is also rumoured that this happened to a neighbouring commune, whereby when planning permission was gained, the developer sold the land to other building companies at a fat profit and then moved on. I would be so grateful if anyone could throw some light on this sorry state of affairs. We are able to write a letter of objection and a petition has been started but apart from this we can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Has anyone any experience of this in their commune? If only to allow me to worry about the right stuff! Thanks in advance, Sarah

Hi All, I've just set up a group in Flikr entitled 'Aquitaine Captured'. So far I am the only member and I'm sure it'll begin to feel a bit lonely soon! Edit: there are two of us now!...great pictures from Craig at This French Life. If anyone wishes to join and post their photo's and/or start a discussion, please feel free...'twould be lovely to see you. (I thought it would be a good way of show-casing the area!) I'll try to post the address...wish me luck! http://www.flickr.com/groups/aquitaine-captured/ hope to see you there! Widget/Phoenix ps....let me know if the link doesn't work....

Is it possible for children to 'buy' the property from the parents before they die?

Sorry Chris, I didn't mean to be cheeky! I am having my application to move to France blocked by the childrens' father and believe it or not one of his objections is wild boar in the local woods, well, that and poisenous snakes! I have got lots of  useful info on snakes from your website but I needed a little extra as regards the boar. I think the info given has been very useful and should nip the man-eating wild boar problem in the bud! Thanks

Thanks to everyone for your replies. So that I can print the info off, (for evidence in court!) would anyone have a web address that I can access with this on? Thanks again[:)]

I'm after some general info on wild boar, specifically in dept 47. I'm not even sure if there are any in the local woods or indeed what the best habitat is for boar. I need to know if they are a threat to people or children, although from the posts I have read it would appear that they are very nervous of people and would rather run away than put up a stand! Any info would be gratefully received. Are they on the decline now due to hunting and habitat loss or is their population stable? Thanks in anticipation