"Your old fixer-upper was prime for a land assembly until the new McMansion went up next door. Now only your place and the corner house next to you are financially viable candidates for assembly. Two lots are not big enough for anything really interesting. Previously your side of the street was prime for tear down and being replaced with social housing similar to the older, "low income development" on the next block, but your new neighbour has just screwed that opportunity."
Need to look at the whole block to qualify that statement Geyser.
If the lot sizes were reduced on the other homes on the block, then ETB and his neighbor are in (or will be in) an "arranged marriage"
If the new build is on a lot size akin to the other homes on the block, then it is no harm, no foul.
Color me bearish. I think we are on the eve of a Royal Shitshow anyway....