A superb opportunity to acquire the freehold of a picturesque investment farm about 2 miles from Norwich let on an Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy
High Ash Farm offers a superb opportunity to acquire the freehold of a picturesque investment farm about 2 miles from Norwich let on an Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy with some
parcels of woodland let on a Farm Business Tenancy. The tenant is renowned for their dedication to conservation and has created a haven for wildlife, along with providing permissive access across much of the farm, combined with a successful livery business. There are two cottages, sub-let by
the tenants on Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs). Please note that the tenant will continue to run the businesses on the farm as normal.
THE LAND
The land is classified as Grade 3 on the Land Classification Maps and the soils are of the Burlingham 3 Series being deep fine loamy soils with some similar fine coarse loamy over clayey, fine loamy and sandy soils. The land has been used for arable farming, but now much of it is laid to grass for the livery
business, with the remainder being part of two Mid-Tier stewardship schemes and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Much of this land is down to Pollen and Nectar, and Wild Bird Seed mixes. Of particular note are the areas of Bee and Pyramid Orchids and Viper’s Bugloss. There also areas of Teasles and grass which is cut for hay. Four of the fields have Ancient Scheduled Monuments within them which includes an ancient Anglo-Saxon burial site and evidence of a Roman-Celtic Temple with outlines of ancient roadway patterns. These fields are laid to grass and can’t be ploughed. The fields are well accessed from the public highway and internal tracks with many bounded by hedges. The land is undulating and particularly attractive, and the tenant provides permissive access over part of the farm for walking and horse riding, and in turn joining up with adjacent footpaths and the Boudicca Way, which crosses the eastern part of the farm.
CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE
The current tenant has managed the farm with conservation and wildlife being at the forefront of decisions, and as a result a wildlife haven has been created at High Ash Farm. Hedges have been planted, woodlands managed for wildlife, and ponds created and enhanced. These efforts combined with the environmental schemes have resulted in a huge variety of birds, animals, flora and fauna thriving at the farm. The tenant has taken part in a long running radio show/podcast
highlighting the wildlife and conservation that exists at High Ash Farm and this continues to this day. The farm has also won awards.
THE WOODLAND
There are various parcels of woodland which are let to the current tenant on a farm business tenancy. These include a large rookery on the western side of the farm and other blocks of woodland which provide a sanctuary for wildlife and are enjoyed by the public via the permissive paths. There are a wide variety of broadleaf and coniferous trees which include some wonderful specimens.
FARM BUILDINGS
Located at the entrance to the farm are the farm buildings comprising:-
• General purpose building with integral farm office (32m x 17m). Built using a steel portal frame, roller shutter door and concrete base.
• Workshop and store (25m x 6m) Brick under fibre cement roof.
• Stabling and general purpose store (32m x 31m) built using a steel portal frame over a concrete floor including spray store.
• A traditional brick barn (23m x 15m). Currently used as stabling and storage.
• L shaped stable block with 5 loose boxes and kitchen/day room.
• Large area of hardstanding for car and trailer parking.
• Muck clamp.
• All weather manège (50m x 25m) with rubber surface and lights.
There are 27 stables in total all of which form part of the tenant’s livery business.
HIGH ASH FARM COTTAGES 1 & 2
A pair of semi-detached cottages which are sublet by the tenants under Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs). They are constructed of brick elevations under pantile roofs and sit adjacent to High Ash Lane. Inside is a kitchen, sitting room, and upstairs are three bedrooms in each, with one having two bathrooms and the other having a single bathroom. Each
house has a garden and there is some off-street parking. The houses are connected to mains water which is metered from the farm supply and they have their own mains electricity. Sewage is via a private drainage system which serves both cottages. The houses are heated via oil fired boilers.
THE LIVERY
This business was established in 1974 and offers DIY, assisted and full livery. There are 20 stables, a secure tack room, feed room and about 10 miles of riding and 30 cross country jumps around the farm. There is also a large parking area for trailers/lorries and an outdoor all weather floodlit manège of 50m x 25m.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property