About this property

Detailed Description

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE TWO HORTICULTURAL UNITS WITH 35.12 ACRES (14.22 HECTARES) OF GLASSHOUSES, CURRENTLY USED FOR STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION. BOTH SITES HAVE EXTENSIVE COLD STORES AND PACKING FACILITIES WITH A POTENTIAL RENTAL INCOME AND RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE (RHI) PAYMENTS IN THE REGION OF £1,300,000 PER ANNUM.

The Freehold is owned by a company, this can be transferred to the buyer or the company shares can be purchased. 50% shares in the current operating company, may also be available by separate negotiation.

In all approximately 133.04 acres (53.84 hectares)

For Sale by Private Treaty as a Whole | Viewing by appointment only

LOCATION & SITUATION
The two sites are located approximately 21 miles apart (see location plan). Both benefit from good road links to the A303 and the M5 J25 (Deans Gate) at Taunton.

BACKGROUND
The site is currently used for growing strawberries, however in the past it has produced tomatoes and peppers.

BRADON NURSERY, ISLE ABBOTTS, TAUNTON, SOMERSET, TA3 6RY
GLASSHOUSES
Bradon Nursery comprises four main blocks of glass, all of which vary in age and heights. The most modern was built in 2007 at 5.50m eaves height. Each block benefits from fitted strawberry guttering, irrigation systems, CO2 supply and an automated ventilation system. There is also night break lighting in glass blocks 2 and 3. The glass extends to approximately 27.93 acres (11.30 hectares) and occupies a large majority of the site.

The strawberries are grown on the table top system with irrigation from the onsite (roof fed) reservoirs. The CO2 is via a line under the plants with heat produced via the onsite biomass boiler.

The strawberries are hand picked with labour living in the onsite mobile homes. The produce supplies many high-street retailers.

BIOMASS BOILER
The biomass boiler (a COMPTE.R boiler) was manufactured in 2021 and has a peak heat output capacity of 5,250 kWh. It uses water to provide heat to the glasshouses via the buffer tank through external piping. The boiler is housed in the boiler house (see block plan) and the buffer tank is externally located adjacent. The heat is measured by HM1 (Sontex Supercal 531) which is located within the boiler house and there is a multiple metering arrangement. All the RHI-relevant meters have been installed to satisfactory standards and in-line with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) regulations, and the most recent calibration certificates have been declared accurate. RHI payment is included in the overall stated rental figure. The heating pipes in the glasshouses double up as tracks for the picking carts.

ANCILLARY BUILDINGS
Adjoining the glasshouses, nearest the site entrance, sits the main office block (see building block plan). This building is constructed of red brick and steel and hosts the reception, several individual office spaces, WC and shower facilities. Leading from the office block is the pump room, cold stores, boiler building and workshop. There is also a staff canteen with additional WC's and showers. One of the buildings is let to a third party who previously ran a combined heat and power site. The cooling mechanism
for this system is located north of the building. These engines now only supply power to the grid (see schedule of areas).

RESERVOIRS
The site benefits from three reservoirs (1x to the southern boundary and 2x the western boundary) as seen on the site plan. The reservoirs hold rainwater harvested from the glasshouse roofs, meaning mains water consumption is minimal and we understand sufficient capacity is held for the duration of the year.

LAND
To the south of the glasshouses, there is approximately 47 acres of Grade 3 agricultural land. An additional access is via a right of way from Bradon Lane. This land provides
space for potential expansion of the site. There was a planning permission for polytunnels on this area which has now lapsed. To the north east of the site, there is a large detached steel portal frame building with concrete floor housing the biomass boiler. Beyond this, there are 14 mobile homes and a further building attached to the glasshouses used for staff laundry, storage and staff recreational area.

SITE ACCESS
Bradon Nursery is accessed off an unnamed road leading to Isle Brewers.

Bradon Nursery extends to a total of approximately 113.89 acres (46.09 hectares), and can be seen edged red and shaded pink on the site plan.

CHILTON FARM, CHILTON CANTELO, YEOVIL, SOMERSET, BA22 8BE
GLASSHOUSES
This site benefits from approximately 7.19 acres (2.92 hectares) of glasshouses, all of which varies in age and heights from circa 3.5m-4m. Similarly, each block is fitted with strawberry gutters, night break lighting, automated ventilation, CO2 lines and irrigation systems.

PACKHOUSE
The packhouse benefits from a staff canteen, WC and staff wash areas. These lead through to the main cold store (521.78 sqm) and former packing area (420.96 sqm). The building also benefits from two loading bays.

ANCILLARY BUILDINGS
As you enter the site to the east, there is a reception area and office. This is adjacent to the packhouse, along with designated parking. To the north of the pack house is a building housing the biomass boiler and backup oil boiler. There is also a canteen building, office and toilet block onsite and 20 mobile homes used for workers' accommodation.

RESERVOIRS
There are three reservoirs on this site (1 x to the north and 2 x to the east), which hold rainwater collected from the glasshouse roofs.

BIOMASS BOILER
A 1MW biomass boiler is used to heat the glasshouses, including a backup 1.2 MW oil boiler. Both of which were installed new in 2017. This is operated by a third party under an agreement to supply heat. The site also benefits from an additional oil boiler to supply extra heat to the site (this oil burner is owned & operated in hand).

ACCESS
Chilton Farm lies to the north-east of the village of Chilton Cantelo and is accessed off The Cypress House Road. A-roads connect the M5 at Taunton, which is located approximately 30 miles west.

Chilton Farm extends to a total of approximately 19.15 acres (7.75 hectares), and can be seen shaded
pink and edged red on the plan.

GENERAL REMARKS & STIPULATIONS
METHOD OF SALE & LOTTING
The properties are being offered For Sale by Private Treaty as a Whole.

TENURE & POSSESSION
The freehold is offered subject to the current occupational agreements. The short term agreements could be ended prior to purchase (subject to negotiation). As stated in the schedules, there are tenancies on the leased areas (see tenancy schedule). The current occupiers have indicated they would like to rent the property if the buyer is favourable to a rent agreement.

50% shares in the operating company are also available by separate negotiation.

BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME
The delinked BPS payments are not available for transfer.

WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS & RIGHTS OF WAY
The properties are offered For Sale subject to all existing rights including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water, gas, electricity supplies and mineral rights, easements, quasi-easements and wayleaves whether or not referred to in these particulars.

At Bradon Nursery, a gas pipeline runs to the east of the site along with various rights noted on the title registers, being easements for Western Power Distribution and British Gas Plc.

DATA ROOM INFORMATION & COMPLIANCE
Further information can be found in the data room. Please contact the Selling Agents should you wish to access this information.

OVERAGE
The Vendor reserves the right to receive 30% of any uplift in value in the event that planning permission is granted (payment on the earlier of sale or implementation) for any use other than agricultural, equine or horticultural running for a period of 30 years from the date of completion.

Reasonable planning costs to be deductible, but capped at £50,000 per acre.

SPORTING, MINERAL & TIMBER RIGHTS
In so far as they are owned, rights of minerals, sporting and timber are included in the sale.

FIXTURES & FITTINGS
Unless described in these Sale Particulars, all fixtures and fittings are specifically excluded from the sale.

EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS & COMPLETION
A 10% deposit will be payable on the Exchange of Contracts.

SERVICES
Bradon Nursey benefits from mains water and electricity, with drainage to a private system. The biomass boiler supplies heat to the site.
Chilton Farm benefits from mains water, electricity, with drainage to a septic tank along with biomass heat (third party operated) and an oil boiler (in-hand).

BOUNDARIES, PLANS, AREAS, SCHEDULES & DISPUTES
The sale plans and associated boundaries are based on the Ordnance Survey data and are for reference only. The Buyer will be deemed to have full knowledge of the boundaries and any omission, error, or mistake cannot annul the sale or entitle any party to compensation in respect thereof. Should any dispute arise concerning this matter, such questions should be referred to the Selling Agents, whose decision to act as Expert shall be final.

LOCAL AUTHORITY
Somerset Council.

HEALTH & SAFETY
For your safety and that of others, interested parties should be vigilant and follow instructions given by Brown & Co when inspecting the properties. Particular care should be taken when walking around areas where machinery or vehicles are operating.

WHAT3WORDS LOCATION SEQUENCE
Bradon Nursery - ///picked.thirsty.attaching
Chilton Farm - ///bribing.birdcage.joystick

VIEWINGS
Viewing is strictly by appointment through the Selling Agents.
Please contact:
Tom Birks and Daisy Miller

TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS)
There are no farm employees to be transferred under TUPE regulations with the freehold purchase.

VAT
The Freehold is opted to tax and therefore VAT may be payable by the buyer in addition to the purchase price.

ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING
Following the most recent Anti Money Laundering Legislation, buyers will be required to provide proof of identity and address to
the Selling Agent once an offer has been submitted and accepted (Subject To Contract) before solicitors are instructed.

GENERAL REMARKS & STIPULATIONS
These particulars are Subject to Contract.