3000-acre upland farming opportunity in north west
One of the largest upland farms in the South Pennines is about to come to the market with the potential to rent another 1500 acres.
The sale of Boulsworth End Farm, near Burnley in Lancashire, includes land and buildings across the county border at Ridge Fold Farm near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. The total size is 1440 acres.
It has been farmed for three generations by the Westall family. Richard Westall, who has managed it for the past 10 years, grazing over 2000 breeding sheep in three hefted flocks, is to emigrate to Canada with his sister and her family.
The diversity and potential of this property should attract a wide range of farmer, investor and amenity buyers, says agent Carter Jonas of Harrogate, which is selling jointly with local firm Gary Hoerty Associates. “The recent growth in land values nationally has mainly been attributed to arable land,” said Tom Whitehead of Carter Jonas. “This will be an interesting test of the upland market, and is a fantastic chance to buy the biggest farm offered for years in this region.”
The main farmstead at Boulsworth End offers a three-bedroom farmhouse with adjoining stone barn and a range of modern buildings. Two stone barns have planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom dwelling and a five-bedroom holiday cottage. The land is mostly open moorland, valued at about £500/acre. Other land, closer to £1000/acre, includes almost 100 acres of rough grazing and 200 acres of enclosed meadow. Parts have conservation designations and could generate up to £30,000 a year in the Entry Level and Higher Level stewardship schemes, according to recent estimates.
Less than 15 miles away at Ridge Fold Farm there are 85 acres of ring-fenced meadow and upland pasture with two livestock buildings and planning permission for a third. Subject to consent, the agents say there is the potential for an agriculturally tied dwelling. The buyer could apply to take on another 1500 acres on a 12-year Farm Business Tenancy from Yorkshire Water, which owns moorland around nearby Widdop Reservoir.
The entire property is for sale as a whole, with a guide of £2.11m, or in up to 11 lots, by informal tender with best and final offers by 9 July.
Farm land for sale Lancashire.