Property Information
Address:
Puddock's Tail & Little Baddow Hall Fruit Farm, Church Road, Chelmsford, Essex
, CM3 4BE
, Essex
, United Kingdom
Price: Property no longer available.
Size: 70 sq ft28 sqm
Primary Category: Investment
All Categories:
Investment, Land,
Property Ref/Movehut: MH665859
Property Ref/Agent: 14869842
*Please use the agent ref when calling the agent directly.
Property description
A rare opportunity to purchase a substantial farmhouse and former fruit farm providing diversified income from a range of enterprises, all set within the picturesque Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Conservation Area.
The property extends to approximately 70 acres and offers scope for further development.
The property is available as a whole or as two lots.
Lot 1 - Puddock's Tail
Puddock's Tail occupies and elevated position with unrivalled panoramic views over the surrounding farmland and Chelmer Valley beyond.
The farmhouse was built in the 1960's and is a unique family home with generous accommodation extending to approximately 3,135 sq. ft.
The flexible accommodation is spread over three floors, with the lower ground floor containing an integral garage, family room, study/office and utility area.
On the upper ground floor are an entrance hall, kitchen and large, dual aspect, sitting/dining area with fabulous panoramic views.
The first floor accommodation provides a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, together with four further bedrooms and the family bathroom.
Outside
A private driveway leads to the property, bordered by established hedgerows and mature fruit trees.
It opens up into a large parking area with access to the integral garage and additional garage facilities.
The formal gardens that surround the house extend to 1.1 acres. These are mostly laid to lawn with mature tree and shrub borders and an established pond.
A large summerhouse/home office occupies a quiet position overlooking the pond and gardens.
Equestrian Facilities
The house is surrounded by approximately 5.56 acres of fenced paddocks split into five enclosures.
These are served by two stable blocks which are centrally located and provide up to seven loose boxes together with a feed/tack room.
Both have concrete hard standing, mains water and electricity.
Woodland
To the south of the property is an area of mature fir trees, extending to 1.25 acres, which provide an attractive wildlife habitat and site screen.
The village is a haven for walkers, being surrounded by open countryside and woodland, much of which is protected by the Essex Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.
Puddock's Tail is also within close proximity of Papermill Lock, where there are riverside walks and canal cruises along the unspoiled Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
Little Baddow has the popular school of Elm Green, with the neighbouring village of Danbury having Heathcote School and Danbury Park School.
Danbury also offers a range of amenities include a local Co-Op supermarket, public houses and a parish church.
For the commuter, Hatfield Peverel station is around 3 miles away with Chelmsford's mainline station approximately 6 miles to the west of Little Baddow.
Important Information
Services - Mains water and electricity are connected to the farmhouse together with oil fired central heating and a private drainage system. The stables are connected to mains water and electricity.
Tenure - Freehold
Council Tax Band - G
EPC rating - F
Lot 2 - Little Baddow Hall Fruit Farm
Lot 2 is accessed via a separate driveway directly off Church Road, opposite St. Mary's Church.
The entire Lot extends to 62.51 acres and includes a diverse range of properties, providing income potential and development opportunities.
Essex Barn
The large Essex Barn extends to approximately 3,000 sq. ft. and benefits from consent under a prior approval for residential conversion (Class Q) to provide a substantial 5 bedroom house.
More details of the consent, together with drawings and plans can be obtained from the selling agent. Planning reference 22/00389/CUPAQ.
Farm Buildings
Centred around the Essex Barn are a further range of farm buildings, including an old cold store (1,247 sq. ft.), a more modern cold store (1,900 sq. ft.) and a workshop/implement shed.
All have been used in conjunction with the fruit farm and offer further scope for redevelopment, subject to planning.
Equestrian Facilities
The equestrian facilities include numerous stable blocks spread across
the property, with the two main yards located to the west of the farm buildings and a further range of stables located near the pond to the west.
In all, the property provides about 19 loose boxes, together with associated tack rooms and stores.
To the south-west of the yard, a track leads round to a manège with a sand and rubber surfaces and low level floodlights.
The grazing land is spread over the remaining area and consists of a series of fenced paddocks (some with field shelters) extending to about 54 acres.
Mains water and electricity are connected to the farm buildings, stables and manège. A private ring main also provides water to most of the paddocks.
The equestrian enterprise currently operates as a long established DIY livery business, with all liveries having entered into new, short term, agreements. The current business generates turnover of about £23,500 per annum and offers scope for expansion.
Caravan Site
Little Baddow Hall Fruit Farm includes a touring caravan site (Registered with The Caravan Club) for 5 touring caravan pitches, with 16-amp electric hook ups, mains water connection and chemical disposal point.
A second touring caravan site has also been established.
This offers similar facilities and has been maintained in operational condition but is not currently in use as the site licence has expired.
In addition to the caravan pitches, the property also has consent for the storage of up to 13 unoccupied touring caravans (07/01435/CLEUD).
Reservoir
To the south-west of the main yard is a former irrigation reservoir which sits in an area of about 1.57 acres, with 0.8 acres of surface water.
The reservoir is currently stocked and fished by a local angling club on a three-month rolling basis.
Additional Land
Within the property are areas of woodland, particularly along Sandon Brook, a number of ponds and a plum orchard.
Church Car Park
To the left of the main entrance is an area let to the Parochial Church Council of Little Baddow to provide car parking for the church. The lease has recently been restructured and provides an income of about £1,200 per annum.
The lease can be terminated with three-months notice.
Designations
Chelmer and Blackwater Conservation Area.
An area adjacent to the Sandon Brook, which forms the western boundary of the property, is designated as a Flood Zone 3.
Agents Notes
Please note that there is history associated with Puddock's Tail which is of a sensitive nature but which may influence a potential buyer's willingness to view or proceed with a purchase.
Please contact the selling agent for more information.
Viewing Arrangements
Strictly by appointment only through the selling agent.
Five bedroom farmhouse extending to approximately 3,135 sq. ft.
Traditional barn with consent for residential conversion (Class Q)
Established equestrian facilities including stables, manége and grazing
Former agricultural buildings
2 x 5 CL touring caravan sites
Reservoir let to local angling club
Orchards and woodland
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