Clean-up to delay sales in Devon
6 July 2001
Clean-up to delay sales in Devon
THE foot-and-mouth clean-up operation means farms in north Devon that were due to come on the market earlier in the year are unlikely to be available until autumn or even next spring, says Michael Challacombe of Stags Barnstaple office.
"Before the outbreak I was preparing to launch about 15 farms, but of those, five were hit by the disease and another five were involved in the contiguous cull."
The agent says it is difficult to say if values will be affected once the market returns to normality but detects signs of optimism. "A lot of farmers are taking a positive approach and view the situation as an opportunity to take a step forward.
"I have had three inquiries over the last few days from local producers looking to buy more land and a good number are planning to reorganise and restructure their holdings," he adds.
However, elsewhere in the south-west a variety of properties are available. In Devon, Kivells is launching Meadwell Farm, Kelly, Lifton, with a guide of £700,000.
The 262-acre dairy and stock farm includes a modern three-bedroomed house and 22 acres have been entered into a countryside stewardship scheme.
Further west, KVN Stockdale and Savills are marketing a sizeable Cornish arable holding. Small Hill Barton runs to 345 acres, all of which are within a less favoured area.
Three dwellings are featured in the sale which has been split four ways with a total asking price of £920,000. *