Property for sale

Blake End, Rayne, Braintree, Essex CM77

Situation
Blake House Farm has easy access to London and is situated immediately to the north of the A120 dual carriageway between Braintree and Bishop’s Stortford. Braintree is 3 miles away and Bishop’s Stortford is 10 miles away offering links to the M11 motorway and Stansted Airport.
Lot 1: Blake House Farm buildings, Leys Farmhouse and land 18.96 acres (7.67 ha)
Comprising the heart of Blake House Farm, some of the buildings are listed Grade II and over recent years these and other substantial modern buildings have been converted to commercial uses. The present income from the buildings is circa £227,000 per annum and in addition there is a service charge income of circa £64,000. This income could grow considerably if the large buildings presently used for farm storage are converted to commercial use. The farmhouse called Leys offers comfortable accommodation and an area of open land to the rear of the complex offers opportunities for further commercial uses.
The Craft Centre: 13,122 sq ft
The original farm buildings, several of which are listed Grade II form the highly successful Blake House Craft Centre. Within the original barn, stables and cart sheds, the Craft Centre offers 21 separate units which are let to a wide variety of businesses and within the large barn there is a thriving café restaurant for those visiting the centre as well as for hosting specific events. Parking is within the craft centre or within a car park with access to the public highway. Toilet facilities are within a dedicated block.
Commercial buildings: 20,585 sq ft
General storage: 24,350 sq ft
To the rear of the craft centre are a range of large portal frame buildings. Several are let for commercial uses and others are used for the storage of grain and farm machinery. Subject to planning, these large grain and farm machinery stores could be used for further commercial uses, increasing the income potential from Blake House Farm considerably. There is also a weighbridge.
Leys
Built in the 1970s, Leys is set away to one side of the farmyard. To the ground floor there is a hall off which there is a large sitting room/ dining room and a separate sitting room. The kitchen (with a range of units and a two-oven oil fired Aga) leads through to the back hall with a shower room. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a dressing room and a bathroom. Outside there is a double garage and office and the garden is largely to lawn with screening to most sides.
Land
There is an area of about 12 acres of level grassland part of which is used by a local archery club, but most of which offers an area for other uses.
Services
Water: Mains.
Electricity: Single & three phase.
Drainage: Klargesters, wpl DMS4 and wpl DMS2.
Right of Way
Although Blake House (Lot 2) has direct access to the public highway, if it is sold separately it will be granted a Right of Way for vehicular access over the concrete track leading to the public highway.
Lot 2: Blake House
1.10 acres (0.45 ha)
Now requiring renovation, Blake House is the original farmhouse and is listed Grade II. Believed to date from the 17th century, the house is of heavy timber frame with rendered elevations under tiled roofs and once restored it will offer comfortable family accommodation. A front door leads into a fine central reception hall with magnificent fireplace and doors to the three reception rooms which face south and west. To the rear there is a kitchen, pantry and utility. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a bathroom and shower room with attic rooms above.
Outside, access is from an ‘in and out’ drive which gives vehicular access to the back yard where there is parking and a double garage with separate garden machinery store and separate storeroom. The garden is largely laid to lawn with some mature planting and to the centre there is an original swimming pool. The garden is bounded by fences or walls and to the rear there is a double gate to an alternative access via Lot 1.
Services
Water: Mains.
Electricity: Single phase.
Drainage: Septic tank. This may not comply with current regulations. Further information is being sought.
Right of Way
Although Blake House has direct access to the public highway, if it is sold separately it will be granted a Right of Way for vehicular access over the concrete track within Lot 1 leading to the public highway.
Lot 3: Land at Blake House Farm 66.68 acres (27 ha)
Immediately adjacent to Blake House Farmyard, access is from the western corner. The land rises gently to either side of the central minor watercourse and the soils are Grade 2 Hanslope Series, ideal for growing a wide range of crops.
Arable cropping: 66.42 acres (26.88 ha).
Track/water course: 0.26 acres (0.10 ha).
Lot 4: Land at Blake House Farm 313.48 acres (126.86 ha)
Situated to the west of Blake House Farmyard, access is from four points to the eastern boundary and two points to the southern boundary. The land is generally level but falls very gently towards the River Ter which flows through the land to the south, close to which is the mature Lyatts Lake with tree screening to all sides. The soils are Grade 2 Hanslope Series, ideal for growing a wide range of crops, and arable field sizes are easily workable by modern machinery. There are two small areas of woodland but of note is Boxted Wood which offers a large mature wood with potential for timber production and conservation projects. Lyatts Lake is a wonderful amenity area surrounded by mature trees. It is let on an annual basis to a fishing club with an income of circa £30,000/annum.
Arable cropping: 249.19 acres (100.84 ha).
Woodland: 52.27 acres (21.15 ha).
Lake: 12.03 acres (4.86 ha).
General
Method of sale: Blake House Farm is offered for sale by private treaty.
Tenure: Freehold with vacant possession subject to the building occupancies.
Planning: Details of planning approvals are available from the Vendor’s Agents.
Countryside Stewardship: There is a scheme that terminates on 31/12/2026. Details from the Vendor’s Agents.
Holdover: Following the date of completion of the sale, the vendor may require the right of Holdover over the grain stores for crop storage until 30 December 2025.
Overage: Lots 3 and Lot 4 will be sold subject to an Overage. The Vendor and their beneficiaries/successors will reserve a 25% share of the net uplift in value of the property due to any planning permission for residential or commercial use for a period of 35 years following the date of completion of sale.
Sporting, Timber and Mineral Rights: All sporting and timber rights are included in the freehold sale, insofar as they are owned.
Fixtures and Fittings: All items usually regarded as tenant’s fixtures and fittings and equipment are specifically reserved from the sale.
Local Authority: Braintree District Council, Braintree, Essex CM7 9HB Tel: Council Tax: Blake House: Band F
Leys: Band C
EPC Ratings:
Blake House: F
Leys: F
Guide Prices:
Lot 1 guide price: £2,600,000
Lot 2 guide price: £650,000
Lot 3 guide price: £700,000
Lot 4 guide price: £2,950,000
Whole guide price: £6,900,000
VAT: Any guide price quoted or discussed is exclusive of VAT. In the event that a sale of the property or any part of it or any right attached to it becomes a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT such tax will be payable in addition.
Health & Safety: Given the potential hazards of a working estate, we ask you to be as vigilant as possible when making your inspection, for your own personal safety. All viewings and appointments are strictly by prior appointment with the vendor’s agent.
Solicitors: Birkett Long llp, 1 Amphora Place, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3WG