Farm for sale

*BEST AND FINAL BIDS INVITED BY 12pm, WEDNESDAY 26th JANUARY*A versatile former dairy farm with a four bedroom farmhouse, a separate bungalow (Ag.Tie) a mixed range of farm buildings and two blocks of productive land extending in total to about 93.33 acres (37.77 ha).

Notice
This property is being marketed for sale on behalf of Joint Law of Property Act Receivers and therefore no warranties or guarantees in any respect, including VAT, can be given. The information in these particulars has been provided by the Joint Law of Property Act Receivers to the best of their knowledge but the purchaser must rely solely upon their own enquiries. The Joint Law of Property Act Receivers are not bound to accept the highest or any offer and are acting in respect of this sale without personal liability.

Location
Low Hesleden Farm lies within the quiet hamlet of Monk Hesleden at the end of a no-through road, about half a mile from the village of Hesleden, which has a shop and a primary school. Peterlee (4.6 miles) and Hartlepool (6 miles) provide a wider range of shops and services. Durham City is about 13.6 miles west and the attractive coastline and Durham Coast National Nature Reserve is less than a mile away.

Description
Low Hesleden Farm is a former livestock and dairy farm which is being sold on behalf of The Receivers. It extends to about 93.33 acres (37.77 ha) and includes a well-proportioned, four-bedroom farmhouse, a three-bedroom bungalow with an agricultural worker’s occupancy restriction, and a range of modern and traditional agricultural buildings. The land mainly consists of permanent pasture and mowing grass, although the land on the north side of a former railway embankment could be used for arable production. In addition, there is an attractive area of broadleaf woodland on the banks of Hesleden Dene and the Clay Pool Beck.

The farm is being offered for sale as a whole or in three lots.

Low Hesleden Farmhouse
The farmhouse extends to approx. 2,693ft2 and is thought to have originally been built of stone. It has been extended and modernised using brick and block behind an external render. It has accommodation on two storeys under a pitched and concrete tile clad roof and with a felt covered flat roof extension. It has timber, double glazed casement windows and is heated from a wood boiler. The property can be accessed from the public adopted highway and internally the house provides the following accommodation:

Ground floor:Kitchen/breakfast room, pantry, utility room, sitting room, bathroom, hall, storage closet, lounge and home office. Double garage.

First floor:Four bedrooms, large storage closet and shower room.

The farmhouse offers spacious accommodation with a large living space, four well-proportioned bedrooms and good storage. There is a small area of garden ground to the side of the property and though in need of attention, a small kitchen-type garden, elevated to the side of the property. The property is divided from the public road, bungalow and farm steading by high Leylandii hedging and timber fencing.

Raesdene Cottage (Lot 3)
Raesdene Cottage is a modern, single-storey brick and block-built house, rendered and painted externally under a pitched and concrete tile clad roof. It extends to approx. 1,582ft2 and comprises the following accommodation:

Ground floor:Utility, W/C, pantry, kitchen/diner, living room, hallway, bathroom and three bedrooms.

Internally, the bungalow is well proportioned with a large open fireplace with a wood burning stove placed between a spacious kitchen/diner and living room. There are two double sized bedrooms and a single bedroom, accessed from the hallway. Externally, there is a prefabricated single car garage, parking and an area of garden ground within enclosed timber fencing and Leylandii hedging.

Planning consent was granted for this cottage as a ‘farm workers bungalow’ on 10th June 1998, and as such has an agricultural worker’s condition attached to its’ occupation.

The Farm Buildings
The farm buildings are a mixed range of modern and more traditional buildings for livestock and storage use, located adjacent to the farmhouse and the bungalow. They are set in a large yard area, partly concreted and partly earth and hardcore.

The Farmland
The land extends in total to about 93.33 acres, (37.77 ha), and is predominantly Grade 3, made up from slowly permeable seasonally wet, slightly acid base rich loamy clay soils. Much of the land is gently rolling with areas of steep banks adjoining the dene lying between 75m and 95m above sea level.

The land is divided into two blocks by a disused railway embankment, over which is a Public Right of Way (bridleway), and which are linked by an underpass. The land to the north of the embankment is the more productive and capable of arable production, with the southern block currently in permanent pasture. Land to the south is ring fenced and can be accessed from an internal track that leads to the northern parcel. It is understood all external boundaries will be the future purchaser’s responsibility to maintain, excluding the boundaries adjoining the disused railway. Internal fencing within the southern block is in a poor state of repair and not currently stock proof.

General Information

Public Rights of Way, Wayleaves and Easements
This property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way whether public, private, rights of water, light, support, drainage, electricity and other rights and obligations, easements, quasi-easements, restrictive covenants, and all existing and proposed wayleaves whether referred to or not.

The Hesleden to Monk Hesleden bridleway travels through the northern land block and is connected to the internal track of the southern block through the disused railway embankment. There are two further public footpaths located within the southern parcel, located above and into the dene from the farm steading and internal track.

There is currently a wayleave agreement between Northern Power Grid for the five electricity poles located across the holding.

Services, Council Tax and EPC
Low Hesleden Farmhouse is serviced by mains electricity, drainage and water and a combined oil-fired and timber central heating system. Council Tax Band: E. EPC Raing: F.

Raesdene Cottage is serviced by mains electricity, drainage and water and an oil fired central heating system. Council Tax Band: D. EPC Rating: D.

Basic Payment Scheme
The land has been registered with the Rural Payments Agency, although entitlements are not included within this sale.

Agri-Environmental Schemes
There are no current schemes on the farm, but it is thought that there are likely to be opportunities to explore options under the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). Further information is available from the Selling Agents.

Method of Sale
Low Hesleden Farm is offered for sale by private treaty with vacant possession.

Boundaries
Neither the vendor nor the vendor’s Agent will be responsible for defining the boundaries or their ownership thereof and the purchaser(s) shall rely on their own inspection and the information appearing in the Land Registry.

Sporting, Timber and Mineral Rights
Sporting, timber, mine and mineral rights are excepted from the sale.

Tenure
The property is to be sold freehold with vacant possession.

Restrictions
There is a restriction on title preventing current or future buildings from being used for the purpose of manufacturing or selling alcohol for the purpose of a working man’s club, nor for the use as a theatre, cinema entertainment or roller-skating rink.

VAT
Any guide prices quoted or discussed are exclusive of VAT. Should any part of the sale or rights attached to it become chargeable items for the purpose of VAT then this will be payable by the purchaser.

Employees (TUPE)
No staff will transfer to the purchaser with the sale as there are currently no employees.

Local Authority
Durham County Council.

Tel: 03000 260000.

Viewings
Open viewing days in December 2021 will be held at the property. Please contact the Selling Agents for further details.

The site is secure and managed by Veritas Security and no unauthorised visits will be permitted.

Health and Safety
Given the potential hazards of a working farm we ask that all parties wishing to view are as vigilant as possible when on site.

Directions
To reach Low Hesleden Farm, take exit 61 from the A1 and travel north along the A1688. At the second roundabout, take the third exit along to the A181, past Wheatley Hill and Wingate. Continue across the bypass over A19 towards Castle Eden and on to the B1281. Take the right hand exit from B1281 along Mickle Hill Road. Before entering High Hesleden, take the right-hand road to Monk Hesleden. The farmhouse and bungalow and steading are located to the right-hand side of the hamlet.

Conditions of Sale

Purchase Price
Within 7 days of exchange of contracts a non-returnable deposit of 10% of the purchase price shall be paid. The balance will fall due for payment on completion at a date to be agreed and whether entry is taken or not with interest accruing at a rate of 5% above the Bank of England base rate.

Disputes
Should any discrepancy arise within these particulars of sale or the interpretation of them, the question shall be referred to the arbitration of the Selling Agents whose decision acting as experts will be final.

Plans, Areas and Schedules
These are based on the Ordnance Survey and Rural Land Register and are there for reference only. They have been carefully checked by the Selling Agents and the purchaser shall be deemed to have satisfied himself as to the description of the property, and any error or misstatement shall not annul the sale, nor entitle either party to compensation in respect thereof.

Disclaimer Notice
PLEASE READ: GSC Grays gives notice to anyone who may read these particulars as follows:
1. These particulars, including any plan, are a general guide only and do not form any part of any offer or contract.
2. All descriptions, including photographs, dimensions and other details are given in good faith but do not amount to our presentation or warranty. This should not be relied upon as statements of facts and anyone interested must satisfy themselves as to their corrections by inspection or otherwise.
3. Neither GSC Grays nor the vendors accept responsibility for any error that these particulars may contain however caused.
4. Any plan is for guidance only and is not drawn to scale. All dimensions, shapes, and compass bearings are approximate, and you should not rely on them without checking them first.
5. Nothing in these particulars shall be deemed to be a statement that the property is in good condition, repair or otherwise nor that any services or facilities are in good working order.
6. Please discuss with us any aspects that are important to you prior to travelling to the property.

Particulars
Particulars written and photographs taken in November 2021.