High interest expected for bare land in East Anglia

Three blocks of bare land have come to the market in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and are likely to attract high interest.

Land agent Peter Crichton is selling about 69 acres of productive arable land near Diss, Norfolk, and about 42 acres near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

“We expect significant interest from mainly local farmers and have had prices suggested between about £9,000 and £10,000 an acre,” said Mr Crichton.

The Norfolk land lies at Wattisfield and has been fallow for seven years. The majority is Grade 3 with deep fine loamy soils and slowly permeable subsoils and smaller outcrops of Burlingham 2 soil.

It is for sale at a guide price of £9,300/acre and is available in up to five lots.

The Suffolk block (pictured) lies near Badwell and has a guide price of £8,950/acre and is currently cropped with wheat, although some was cropped with spring beans in 2012-13.

The majority of the land has lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage. It is entered into an ELS scheme, while SPS entitlements may be available by separate negotiation. (Peter Crichton 01284 701 304)

Just east of Lincoln, a 185-acre block of arable and grassland is for sale at Fen Farm, near Cherry Willingham.

Agent Charles Alexander, of JH Walter, says a high amount of interest is expected from farmers and investors, particularly as the land lies near to rapidly expanding Lincoln and may provide development opportunity in the future.

The land is Grade 2 and 3 with about 130 acres of arable land and about 38 acres of permanent pasture. There is a mix of limestone soil and, where it meets the River Witham, deep peaty soil.

Cropping has included grass, barley, set-aside and this year, sugar beet. The block is for sale as a whole at a guide price of £1.38m or in two lots. SPS entitlements are included. (JH Walter 01522 504 304)