Sundaysight Farm Highgreen, Tarset

Transcription

1 Sundaysight Farm Highgreen, Tarset

2 Sundaysight Farm Highgreen, Tarset, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 2JE An excellent hill farm to let under a Farm Business Tenancy or Share Farming Agreement for up to 15 years from 13th May 2016 Tender Deadline 5pm 18th February 2016 Farm Letting / Share Farming Opportunity Bellingham 5 miles, Hexham 22 miles 3 Bedroom stone built farmhouse Modern Steel Framed Cattle Shed Modern Timber Framed Sheep Shed Dutch Barn Traditional Buildings In all about ha (2,265 acres)

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4 The property Sundaysight Farm is part of the Highgreen Estate which extends to around 5,000 acres and comprises let farms, an in-hand hill-farming enterprise, woodlands, let cottages, and Highgreen Manor which is the focus of an arts-based community. Sundaysight Farm has been let on a traditional Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancy for the last 30 years. It has been farmed to a high standard by the outgoing tenant, Alan Wallace. The owner would like to maintain his interest in the Estate s farming activities by offering the opportunity to enter into a Share Farming Agreement (SFA). Alternatively, depending on the level of interest shown in a SFA, the farm may be let on a conventional Farm Business Tenancy (FBT). Applicants are invited to apply on either or both alternatives. approximately 900 Swaledale ewes of regular ages plus followers. The land extends to approximately 2,265 acres ( hectares) and includes 40 acres of meadow, 25 acres of pasture, 610 acres of rough grazing, 1,565 acres of fell and 25 acres of roads tracks and other. Entirely within Northumberland National Park. The land is between 180 and 370 metres above sea level. The Farm Buildings The buildings comprise:- Building 1 - Modern steel-framed cattle shed (24.4m x 9.2m max) Building 2 - Modern timber-framed sheep shed (18.2m x 13.7m max) Building 3 - Dutch barn (18.2m x 6.4m max) The Farmhouse A substantial stone and slate, modernised farmhouse with multi-fuel stove. The accommodation comprises : living-room, dining-room, fitted kitchen, utility, downstairs WC, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Council Tax band : D and the Energy Performance Certificate Rating : F. It is expected that the farmhouse will form part of the holding whether farmed under an SFA or FBT. The Land The land has generally been well maintained with good stock proof fences and dry stone walls. Most of the enclosed fields have water supplies. The holding is subject to a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme and is currently able to support 900 Swaledale ewes and followers with approximately 20 cattle grazing in spring and summer, which is encouraged by Natural England. farmed, subject to the prescriptions set by the HLS agreement. Depending on the eventual arrangement the farm is offered either with the HLS payments or with the payments retained by the owner. The payments total 33, per annum. Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Entitlements are to be acquired from the outgoing tenant prior to 12 May 2016, and should be made available to the new farm business. It is thought that the current payment under BPS (paid 1 December 2015) is around 58,000. There are SDA and Moorland Entitlements (taken from the 2014 statement). Outgoing Tenant-right Prior to 12 May 2016, the outgoing tenant s hefted flock will be acquired at valuation and will remain on the holding. Sundaysight Farm is a large hill livestock unit suited to sheep and beef farming. The current tenant sold his cattle in 2014, and now runs Building 4 - Workshop Building 5 Range of traditional buildings Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) There is an HLS agreement which runs until 31 October The farm will be let, or share- The outgoing tenant will be holding a farm sale of machinery, equipment, fodder and other items prior to 12 May 2016.

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6 Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) A long-term FBT is envisaged for a term of up to 15 years, with break clauses as appropriate (by negotiation). The landlord will be responsible for repairs to the main structure of the farmhouse and buildings; the tenant will be responsible for all other repairs. Offers for rent are invited on the basis that this will be payable monthly in advance. The incoming tenant will be expected to occupy the farmhouse, purchase at valuation the Basic Payment Entitlements and the hefted flock, and farm the holding subject to the prescriptions set by the HLS agreement. Woodland and sporting rights are reserved to the landlord. Share Farming Agreement (SFA) Under the SFA the owner will provide the land, buildings, fixed equipment, on-going maintenance of the land (fences/drainage etc) and insurance of the property. In addition (although negotiable) the owner may invest in ½ the current breeding flock of circa 900 Swaledale Ewes. The share farmer (operator) will provide the labour and machinery required to undertake the day to day management of the Sheep Enterprise. In addition, (although negotiable) the operator will also invest in ½ the current breeding flock of circa 900 Swaledale Ewes. The inputs from both parties are then valued on the basis of their annual rental value so that the share ratio can be determined. Once agreed the ownership of the trading progeny (not the breeding flock) follows the share ratio with each party owning a proportionate share of every animal. vet & med; fertiliser; livestock sundries based on the agreed share ratio. Subsidy income, including Basic Payment monies, will be included in the agreement. Claims will be made by the Owner with the income received apportioned as per the agreed share ratio. Further details on these calculations are available in the Tender Forms. Under such an arrangement: No rent is received by the Owner No payment is made to the Operator for his labour and machinery supplied Therefore there is no guaranteed income to either party Each submit their own VAT returns and Tax Accounts Both parties accept a full commercial risk as there is no guaranteed payment to either party (aside from the Basic Payment). It allows both parties to thrive in the good years, whilst proportionately sharing any losses in the poorer times. The Share Farming Agreement will run for a period of up to 15 years from May 2016, with break clauses as appropriate (by negotiation). The Share Ratio will be reviewed annually. As a result there is an incentive for the Operator to expand their share of business over time through reinvesting their profits back into the Agreement. Each party then shares the proceeds from the sales generated in terms of lamb sales; cull ewe sales and wool sales based on the share ratio agreed. Each party also shares the costs incurred in terms of sheep replacements; feed,

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8 Information Pack This will be available by , on CD or in hard copy on application to the agents, together with a payment of 15 made out to Land Factor Ltd. It will comprise :- Area schedule Farm plan Draft Farm Business Tenancy Draft Share Farming Agreement Copy of the current Higher Level Stewardship agreement Basic Payment Scheme entitlements statement Energy Performance Certificate for the farmhouse Floor plans for the farmhouse Viewing Days There will be 2 days when the farm may be viewed:- Tuesday 19 January 2016, 10.00am 3.00pm Thursday 28 January 2016, 10.00am 3.00pm Viewings are strictly by appointment only on registration with the agents, please make contact to register your interest Please see location plan. Application Offers are invited, on either a Share Farming Agreement or Farm Business Tenancy basis, or both, from applicants who are progressive and forward-thinking in their approach to the challenge of farming in the hills. Interested parties are invited to submit their tender(s) on the application form available from the agents. Deadline for submission will be 5.00pm on Thursday 18 February The agents will not be bound to accept the highest or any offer. General Local Authorities: Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth NE61 2EF. Telephone: Services: Mains electricity with a private water supply are connected to the property. Central heating is a multi-fuel stove. Drainage is via a private system. Strutt & Parker 1-3 Oldgate, Northumberland NE61 1PY Ali Gray [email protected] struttandparker.com Land Factor Bywell Estate Office, Stocksfield, NE43 7AQ Hugo Remnant [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTICE Strutt & Parker LLP and Land Factor for themselves and for the Owners of this property, whose agents they are, give notice that: 1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance of intending bidders and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. Prospective operators and lessees ought to seek their own professional advice. 2. All descriptions, dimensions, areas, reference to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending bidders should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. 3. No person in the employment of Strutt & Parker LLP or Land Factor has any authority to make or give any representations or warranty whatever in relation to this property on behalf of Strutt & Parker LLP or Land Factor, nor enter into any contract on behalf of the Vendor. 4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending bidders in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. Photographs taken on varying dates. Particulars prepared January Ref: MRP MEASUREMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION All measurements are approximate. While we endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, if there is any point which is of particular importance to you, please contact this office and we will be pleased to check the information for you, particularly if you are contemplating travelling some distance to view the property. Printed by Ravensworth B /06/2014