Estates second try
17 May 2002
Estates second try
TWO contrasting estates that failed to sell last year are back on the market.
In Norfolk, the Nordelph Farms Estate – a 1587-acre Grade 1 silt commercial unit near Downham Market- has just been relaunched by Wilts-firm AKC, but this time an extra 878 acres of soil have been included in the sale.
The disposal has been dogged by bad luck. An original deal struck at the beginning of last year fell out of bed when it transpired the purchaser lacked the funds to proceed, and another prospective buyer pulled out a few days away from putting pen to paper after the Sept 11 New York terrorist attack.
A price of £8m for the entire holding is being asked.
Sept 11 also had a bearing on the unsuccessful campaign to sell the St Clairs arable and sporting estate, Corhampton, reckons Crispin Holborow of previous selling agent FPDSavills. "The market was not strong during the autumn."
Guided at around £6m with Knight Frank, now handling the sale along with initial joint agent BCM, the 964-acre Hants estate is on the market for £1.5m less than last year. "We are confident it is now at an attractive level," says the firms Edward Welton.
Sutton Scotney-based BCM is also busy collaborating with FPDSavills again on the sale of another large Hants property. Stocks Farm, Meonstoke, is a 645-acre arable farm available due to the death of its owner, renowned local farmer Patrick Lawford.
Priced at in excess of £3.25m, agent Andrew Bays reckons it is unique. "To find an excellent arable farm in such a stunning location is extremely rare in Hampshire."
The sale has been split four ways, but Mr Bays is not keen to give out individual guide prices. However, due to its close proximity to London and the influx of non-farming cash, arable land often exceeds £3000/acre in the county. *