Split lot sales see main enthusiasm in steadings
Split lot sales see main enthusiasm in steadings
By Louise Rose
TYPIFYING current market trends a mixed unit in Cheshire was auctioned recently in four lots with most of the land split away from the steading.
"We had considerable interest in lot one, the farmstead and buildings," said auctioneer Mike Taylor, Barber & Son, "We knew this would sell well and were not disappointed".
At Sillenhurst Farm, Woore, near Crewe the five-bedroom farmhouse, a range of traditional farm buildings and about 28 acres of pasture were knocked down at £330,000 to a local buyer.
Mr Taylor said: "We were less confident about the land which is very undulating and the soil types a little difficult in places. In the present farming climate we had to be realistic about our expectations".
A 29-acre block of pasture was withdrawn at £58,000 but sold after the auction for a higher figure. The remaining acreage split into 90- and 45-acre blocks of mixed arable and pasture both sold to neighbours for £190,000 and £92,000 respectively – an average £2089/acre.
Also the firm sold another mixed unit by auction but as a whole. About 100 acres and a modern bungalow subject to an agricultural occupancy condition were knocked down at £440,000.
In a ring fence the Oak Farm, near Nantwich, Cheshire was marketed due to retirement and included a range of modern and traditional farm buildings with all the land eligible for arable area aid.
A block of bare land in Bedfordshire was offered in two lots at auction with the pre-auction interest coming from local farmers.
The grade 2 cereal land at Colmworth, near St Neots was split into blocks of 59 and 16 acres by auctioneer Alexanders and achieved an aggregate figure of £270,000 (£3591/acre).
About 18 acres in Somerset was auctioned in six lots recently with one lot, 4.6 acres failing to sell. The remainder ranging in lots sizes of 1.6-4.7 acres varied in sale price from £4800-15,500/acre. The auctioneer was David James & Partners.
However, the receipt of a substantial offer for 138 acres at Upper St Dennis Farm, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwicks prior to the auction led to the cancellation of the public sale.
The 193-acre mainly arable unit included a six-bedroom farmhouse, grain storage and a range of traditional farm buildings. Now the agent Butler Sherborn is offering the house and 25 acres at over £650,000.