CHEFFINS BRINGS MORE THAN 1,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND TO THIN EAST ANGLIAN MARKET

A high level of interest has greeted the launch of more than 1,000 acres of farmland by Cheffins into a thin East Anglian market. Nearly 700 acres are located in South Cambridgeshire which has been particularly short of opportunities, 163 acres are further north close to Peterborough and 172 acres near Bury St Edmunds.

With the announcement of these sales enquiries have flowed in from local farmers looking to expand their existing business and investors, both private and corporate, from home and abroad, looking to invest accumulated cash funds or diversify investment portfolios.

The South Cambridgeshire land has come to market following the decision of the Executors of the late Richard January to liquidate the farming business and land holding. Most of the land lies adjacent to the popular residential villages of Sawston, Stapleford, Haslingfield and Barrington all within easy reach of the city of Cambridge, M11 motorway and main train routes into London.

The land is being offered in up to 8 lots, which includes some potential for non-agricultural use in the future and an attractive parcel (about 7.4 acres) of high value amenity wildlife habitat which combines sporting and fishing.

The largest lot is at Deal Farm, Sawston, comprising 252.783 acres with a useful range of farm buildings including two grain stores with up to 900 tonnes capacity. It is located between the villages of Sawston and Stapleford, three to five miles south of Cambridge. With long frontage to the Cambridge Road it is shown on the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) as Grade 2/3.

The second largest single lot is at Barrington and extends to 235.859 acres of highly productive Grade 2 arable land which consistently produces high yields from combinable crops.

The next largest is a single block of good cereal and root growing arable land at Stapleford and comprises just over 118 acres and is again Grade 2/3 on the ALC.

The remaining five lots range in size from 30.517 acres to 7.438 acres. Lot 7 comprising 12.893 acres at Barrington offers development potential subject to planning.

Cheffins Director Michael Hamilton who is handling the sale says that the various lots are guided between £6,600 and £7,600 per acre with a premium for Lot 5, the block of amenity land at Stapleford.

Details from Michael Hamilton at Cheffins on 01223 213777.

PETERBOROUGH LAND

The Peterborough land extends to 162.95 acres and is located in three lots to the east of the city outskirts. Lot 1 is situated at Pinfold Farm, Newborough, and comprises 27.42 acres of Grade 1 / 2 skirt fen with a modern insulated store, a 900 tonne ambient potato store and a grading shed/workshop. Guide price is £350,000.

Lot 2 is at Barnoak Road, Newborough and extends to 44.01 acres of Downholland 1 soil series. Guide price is £265,000.

Lot 3 is at Pearce Road, Fengate and extends to 91.52 acres of Grade 1 / 2 land with some largely disused buildings. Guide price is £500,000.

Cheffins Director Simon Gooderham says that with initial marketing offers well over the guide prices have been received, reflecting the pent up demand for farmland in the area from local farmers as well as locally-based investors.

Details from Simon Gooderham at Cheffins on 01223 213777.

BURY ST EDMUNDS LAND

Rookery Meade Farm, Bury St Edmunds, comprises four lots totalling 171.95 acres of paddocks, pasture and productive land, with a substantial seven bedroom house, general purpose storage buildings and a range of horse shelters. It is for sale as a whole or in four lots. The property is conveniently located for Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and the A14 and offers excellent opportunities for mixed use farming and equestrian enterprises.

Lot 1 comprises the house, 69.67 acres and the outbuildings. Guide price is £950,000.

Lot 2 is 19.16 acres of pasture, with a guide price of £100,000.

Lot 3 is 35.31 acres of arable land, guided at £215,000.

Lot 4 is 51.09 acres of arable land, guided at £300,000.

Simon Gooderham of Cheffins (01223 213777) is joint agent with Peter Crichton of Bury St Edmunds (01284 701304).