SPRINGHEAD FARM
Springhead Farm lies in a superb location to the east of the village of Fontmell Magna. The property comprises a main valley and a
“hidden valley” with existing farmhouse and farm buildings. The farmhouse has been recently refurbished and provides comfortable
accommodation of five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Planning Permission has been granted to build a substantial replacement farmhouse which will require the demolition of the existing house once occupied. See Planning paragraph later.
The existing farmhouse is approached off the Fontmell Magna to Ashmore road and is sited to the south west of the site for the new farmhouse. It will provide sufficient accommodation until the completion of the new house.
THE NEW HOUSE
Planning permission was granted on the 26th June 2009 (See “planning” paragraph) for the erection of a new substantially enlarged farmhouse, Dorset Barn, stables, American barn and change of use and conversion of part of the existing farm buildings to offices.
The new residence will be sited in a spectacular location with views along the valleys. The elevations will be constructed of Shaftesbury Greenstone with a brick and flint west elevation. The current design incorporates many features in keeping with traditional buildings in the area and will produce a stunning
spacious home.
The current design will provide seven bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, drawing room, study, dining
room, reception hall, rear hall and utility room. See Floorplans for dimensions.
To the south of the house will be a traditional style Dorset barn providing 2 garages and space for a horse box together with a stable block providing 4 loose boxes. This will create three sides of a courtyard giving the house a most attractive approach.
The planning permission requires the majority of the modern existing farmbuildings to be demolished allowing the current parkland to be extended which will provide a beautiful setting to the new farmhouse.
The planning permission also provides for the erection of a new Agricultural barn to the south of the house which will provide extra storage capacity and be suitable for a variety of uses.
In addition the existing traditional 2 storey brick granary at the approach to the farm has been granted planning permission for B1 office use.
The permission provides the opportunity to create a new large principal farmhouse in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the flexibility of several outbuildings suitable for a variety of uses.
THE LAND
The land extends to approximately 255 acres (103 ha) and is divided into good sized fields with mostly mature hedgerows and stock proof fencing. It is predominantly arable cropped and
capable of producing good yields of cereals and grass.
The land is accessed from either the Fontmell Magna to Ashmore road or via farm tracks.
The land is a combination of the Icknield, Blewbury and Carstens soil series’. The fields are predominantly clayey soils over chalk
with flint in some areas.
The land is within an Environmentally Sensitive Area and the majority of the land is included within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The arable land is currently farmed by way of a contract farming agreement with the majority of the pasture land forming part of a herbage agreement, see occupancies paragraph later.
A shoot is run across the land see occupancies later.
FARM BUILDINGS
There is currently an extensive range of modern agricultural buildings, the planning permission provides for the demolition of
these buildings and the erection of new outbuildings. The new buildings will provide an attractive and versatile range.
GENERAL
Method of Sale
Springhead Farm is offered for sale as a whole by private treaty.
Tenure
Vacant possession will be granted on completion subject to the following occupancies:
• The shoot will be granted Holdover until February 2010.
• The majority of the land is currently farmed by way of a contract farming agreement which runs until Harvest 2010. The Purchaser will either grant Holdover for this arrangement to
continue or will purchase the growing crops at valuation.
• Some of the land is currently farmed under a herbage agreement expiring on 31st August 2010.
Planning
The property falls within the North Dorset District Council area.
Planning permission was granted on 26th June 2009 under Application No. 2/2009/0229/PLNG to “Demolish existing agricultural workers dwelling, erect 1 No. replacement agricultural
workers dwelling, horse box/garage block, stables, barn and change of use and conversion of part of existing farm building to office (demolish existing outbuildings)”.
The planning permission was granted subject to various conditions including:-
• The occupation of the new dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed in the locality in agriculture.
• The agricultural buildings approved to be ready for occupation before the dwelling is occupied.
• Within 3 months of the occupation of the development the existing Springhead Farmhouse to be demolished.
Further details are available from the Agents.
The existing Springhead Farmhouse is subject to an agricultural occupancy condition.
The majority of the property is within and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Two areas of the farmland are designated as sites of Archaeological Importance.
The farm is included within an Environmentally Sensitive Area and part of the property, including the site for the new house, is
included within a Conservation Area.
Local Authority
North Dorset District Council, Norden, Salisbury
Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7LL Telephone 01258 454111
Outgoings
The existing Springhead Farmhouse is Council Tax Band G.
Fixtures and fittings
All those items usually regarded as tenants’
fixtures and fittings are specifically reserved from the sale. Certain items may be available to a purchaser at valuation.
Services
Mains water and electricity connected. Oil fired central heating and private drainage.
Restrictive Covenants
The property is subject to Restrictive
Covenants. Further details are available from the Agents.
Wayleaves, easements and rights of way
The property is being sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights including; rights of way,
whether public or private, light, sport, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights and obligations, easements and
quasi-easements and restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains, water and gas and other pipes whether referred to in these particulars or not. A plan of Rights of Way across the Property is available from
the Agents.
Some of the farmland is accessed via a right of way over a hard track. Fields 7452 and 3756 have been designated as open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act
2000.
VAT
Any guide prices quoted or discussed are exclusive of VAT. In the event that a sale of the property or any lot or part of the
property or entitlements become a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable (or become payable by the purchaser) in addition to the purchase price.
Health and Safety
Given the potential hazards of a working farm
we would ask you to be as vigilant as possible when making your inspection for your own personal safety.
SITUATION
Springhead Farm occupies a tranquil idyliic location to the east of the village of Fontmell Magna. The village benefits from its own shop and public house. The A303 is just 10 miles to the north and provides excellent road links to the West Country and the east leading to the M3 and London.
Train services from Tisbury (12 miles – 15 minutes by car) to London Waterloo (1 hour 50 mins) and Gillingham (10 miles) to London Waterloo in approximately 2 hours.
The larger centres of Bath, Salisbury and Southampton are all within easy reach. The regional airports at Bournemouth,
Southampton and Bristol are all within an hour and a quarters drive away.
The area is renowned for its excellent educational facilities, there are preparatory schools at Port Regis, Sandroyd, Hanford School and Hazelgrove. Public Schools at Sherborne, Bryanston, Millfield, Kings Bruton, Canford and St Mary’s Shaftesbury.
Racing at Bath, Wincanton and Salisbury. Golf at Tollard Royal (Rushmore), Blandford and Sherborne. Sailing on the south coast
at Poole, Lymington and Weymouth.