Property Description
DESCRIPTION
This sale offers a rare opportunity to purchase an attractive block of Grade 2 & 3 arable land extending to approximately 51.19 Hectares (126.50 acres) with direct road access onto Parsonage Lane. The land is set in an accessible location and provides the opportunity for continued use as farmland or alternative uses subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
The land has been in a Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship Agreement since 2021 and is currently
farmed under a contract farming agreement. Prior to this, the land was in a conventional cropping rotation. The full cropping rotation is available in our additional information pack.
LOTTING AREAS
Lot 1: 116.21 acres
Lot 2: 2.7 acres
Lot 3: 0.83 acres
Lot 4: 5.46 acres
Lot 5: 1.33 acres
TOTAL: 126.50 acres
LOCATION
The northern boundary of the site abuts the development boundary of Stansted Mountfitchet along Forest Hall Road. Parsonage Farm and the M11 Business Link commercial premises surround the land offered and are not included in the sale, but a right of access will be reserved to this land.
The site is strategically located to the west of the M11 (close to Junction 8) and south of the large village of Stansted Mountfitchet. Bishop’s Stortford lies further to the south, with Stansted Airport approximately 2.5 miles to the east.
ACCESS
Access to the site is from Forest Hall Road onto Parsonage Lane, an Estate Road road included in the sale. The purchaser will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the Estate Road (Parsonage Lane). Access rights will be reserved to the Vendor’s retained land and the M11 Business Link.
PARSONAGE FARMHOUSE
Parsonage Farmhouse and grounds, extending to approximately 5 acres in total, are available by
separate negotiation (shaded in grey on the plan on page 5).
RETAINED LAND
The Vendors will retain a 2 metre strip of land around the perimeter of the property being sold. The Vendor’s will grant a licence to the Purchaser to maintain the boundaries for agricultural purposes.
LAND OWNERSHIP & TENURE
The land is being offered freehold, currently in one family ownership subject to an existing contract farming agreement. Notice has been served to terminate the agreement on the 31st of August 2023, although this could be renewed. If completion occurs before the termination date, holdover rights will be granted to the contractor until 31st August 2023.
EASEMENTS, WAYLEAVES AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The land is offered subject to and with the benefit of all existing rights of way, wayleaves and easements, whether or not specifically referred to in the particulars. Bridleway PROW 45_27 and footpath PROW 45_28 cross the land. The land is sold in conjunction with the Parsonage Farm Management Company who are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Parsonage Lane (further details are available from the Vendor’s Agent).
Existing rights of access and maintenance exist to two balancing ponds to the south of the M11 Business Link and two telecoms masts situated to the eastern edge of the site, alongside the M11. These assets are excluded from the sale, although may be available by separate negotiation. Copies of agreements detailing the access arrangements are available upon request.
ENVIRONMENTAL & GRANT SCHEMES
The land has been in a Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement since 1 January 2021. The land is in a two year sown legume fallow (AB15), as well as hedgerow management (BE3) and several buffer strips (SW1 & SW4). Further details of the agreement and cropping map can be found in the additional information pack.
BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME
The Basic Payment Scheme entitlements are owned by the Vendor and may be available to purchase by separate negotiation. The sale of the land will be independent to the purchase of the entitlements.
SPORTING, TIMBER & MINERALS
All sporting, timber and mineral rights are included in the sale insofar as they are owned.
BOUNDARIES
The Purchaser will be deemed to have full knowledge of the boundaries. Neither the Vendors nor the Agent will be responsible for defining boundaries.
DEVELOPMENT OVERAGE
The Vendors are seeking offers with overage. Offers with overage should be based upon the payment of a percentage of any increase in value resulting from obtaining planning permission for commercial or residential development on the property for a set period of years after completion.
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Uttlesford District Council
Council Offices
London Road
Saffron Walden
CB11 4ER
DIRECTIONS
Exit the M11 at Junction 8 and join the A120 west towards Bishop’s Stortford. Go straight across the first roundabout and continue to head along the A120. At the second roundabout, take the third exit leaving the A120 and joining the B1383. Follow the B1383 for 0.8 miles and then turn right onto Forest Hall Road/ follow this for just over half a mile, at which point you will see the turning onto Parsonage Lane and the M11 Business Link. The land is located ahead of you and to the right of Parsonage Lane.
INFORMATION PACK
An information pack containing further information including the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement, cropping rotation and legal pack are available upon request from Sworders.
VIEWING
Strictly by appointment only with the Vendors’ Agent.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Sworders for itself and the Owners of this property give notice that the particulars are a general outline only for the guidance of intending Promotors and do not constitute an offer or contract.
All descriptions and any other details are given without responsibility and any intending Promotor should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of them. Any measurements, areas or distances referred to herein are approximate only.
No employee of Sworders has any authority to make or give any representations or warranty whatever in relation to the property. No responsibility can be accepted for the expenses incurred by any intending Promotors in this matter. All plans included are not to scale and are based upon the Ordnance Survey Map with the sanction of the Controller of H M Stationery Office for reference purposes only and are not to be relied upon in any contract. Crown Copyright Reserved. Unless specifically mentioned all fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale.
Aerial Images obtained March 2022
