Land for sale

A productive and accessible 234 acre arable farm with Georgian Farmhouse and significant range of traditional buildings with development potential (subject to necessary consents).
A productive and accessible arable farm with
Georgian farmhouse and an extensive range of
traditional buildings with development potential
(subject to necessary consents).

• Darlaston Grange Farmhouse: An attractive three
storey period five bedroom farmhouse.
• Darlaston Grange Farmhouse Annexe: A single
bedroom self-contained annexe.
• Traditional Buildings: Extensive single storey and
double height red brick farm buildings with
significant development potential (STP).
• Stable block: Traditional brick-built stables
• About 196 acres (79.3 hectares) of productive arable
land

In all about 234.45 acres (94.88 hectares).

For sale freehold as a whole or in up to 3 lots by
private treaty

Vacant possession available on completion (subject to
any holdover requirements)

Introduction
Darlaston Grange Farm is a highly productive arable farm with
extensive residential accommodation and an attractive range of
traditional farm buildings.
The farm has been in the hands of the same family for over 40
years. The sale represents a very rare opportunity to acquire a
well-managed and accessible arable farm in central Staffordshire
with potential for conversion of the extensive farm buildings
(subject to necessary consents).

Situation
Darlaston Grange Farm is situated between the market town of
Stone and the M6 motorway in central Staffordshire.
Stone offers a comprehensive range of facilities, whilst the city of
Stoke-on-Trent and the County town of Stafford (both within 10
miles) offer a wider range of amenities, including shops,
restaurants, schools, and leisure facilities.
The cities of Wolverhampton (26 miles), Birmingham (37 miles),
and Derby (37 miles) are all within easy reach and provide more
extensive facilities.
Transport links are excellent with access to the A34 (Stoke on
Trent to Stafford) just 0.5 miles away. The national road network
can be accessed via the M6 motorway J14 (6.6 miles) and J15
(6.8 miles).
From Stone there are train services to London Euston from 2
hours 50 minutes. From Stafford there are direct train services to
London Euston from 1 hour 17 minutes.

There are a range of private and state schools in the locality
including Stafford Grammar School, Denstone College,
Abbotsholme School and Foremarke Hall Preparatory School.

Summary of Lots
Darlaston Grange Farm is available as a whole or in up to three
lots:
Lot 1 - Darlaston Grange Farmhouse, Annexe, Farm Buildings, and
land extending to about 34.07 acres. Shown coloured blue on the
sale plan.
Lot 2 - Land to the north of Yarnfield Lane extending to about
101.6 acres. Shown coloured yellow on the sale plan.
Lot 3 - Land to the south of Yarnfield Lane extending to about
98.78 acres. Shown coloured pink on the sale plan

Darlaston Grange Farmhouse
The Georgian and part Victorian farmhouse is of traditional red
brick construction under a tile roof and extends to about 4,356
sq.ft. (405 sq.m.). The farmhouse is approached from Yarnfield
Lane along a private driveway and occupies a private position.
Accommodation is arranged over three floors with the house
informally split into two private dwellings.
The ground floor comprises; entrance porch leading to a hallway
with access to the first kitchen. The kitchen benefits from fitted
floor and wall units. A bathroom and separate utility room are
accessed from the kitchen. Two sitting rooms, both well
appointed, a large second farmhouse kitchen with fitted floor and
wall units, a dining room and WC complete the ground floor.
The first floor comprises; four double bedrooms, one with ensuite
and two with built in wardrobes/ storage cupboards. Two family
bathrooms complete the first floor.

The second floor comprises; one double bedroom and three
unmodernised attic rooms that could convert to additional living
space subject to any necessary consents.
The farmhouse benefits from immaculate garden and lawn areas
to the south and east elevations leading to 'bluebell wood' a
mature woodland parcel providing significant amenity appeal to
the farmhouse.
The property has single glazed timber framed windows
throughout and heating is provided by way of electric heaters and
secondary solid fuel heating.
The vendors carried out works to repair and replace the roof of
the farmhouse around 2012.
Drainage is to a private system and mains electricity is connected.
EPC rating: G

Darlaston Grange Farmhouse Annexe
The annexe, which was renovated throughout in 2018, adjoins the
farmhouse, benefitting from a private entrance and comprises;
entrance hall, kitchen/ living area with kitchen, separate utility
room and WC to the ground floor.
The first floor comprises; one double bedroom, bathroom and
airing/ storage cupboard.
The annexe is of red brick construction under a tile roof extending
to about 734 sq.ft. (68 sq.m). The annexe has single glazed timber
framed windows throughout and heating is by way of electric
heaters. Connected to the annexe is a home art studio converted
from the old bake house with separate entrance room and former
bread oven room with attractive views over the garden and lawn
areas.
EPC rating: G

The Farm Buildings
The attractive and extensive range of single and double height red
brick farm buildings within lot 1 have been meticulously
maintained and present an exciting opportunity for conversion to
alternative uses, subject to necessary consents. The buildings
enclose a central courtyard and sit to the north and west of the
farmhouse.
Currently utilised for storage and benefitting from water and
electricity connections the buildings extend to about 6,858 sq.ft.
(637 sq.m.) including a more modern steel framed agricultural
building.
The buildings comprise a range of workshops, garage and large
open general-purpose areas formerly used for grain storage, with
exposed timber beams.
The traditional buildings have been subject to a comprehensive
maintenance programme over recent years including reroofing in
part.
In addition to the principal buildings there is a traditional brick
built stable block comprising 5 no. Stables.

Farmland
The land within lot 1 comprises about 31 acres of predominantly
arable land. Two small paddocks flank the driveway on either side
and may present opportunities for livestock grazing or equestrian
use. The remaining land comprises mature woodland increasing
the amenity appeal of the property.

Lot 2 - Land to the north of Yarnfield Lane extending to about
101.6 acres. Shown coloured yellow on the sale plan.
The land within lot 2 comprises about 101.6 acres of
predominantly south facing arable land with several woodland
spinneys, in a ring fence. The arable land has been farmed under
a contract farming agreement for in excess of 10 years and has
been well managed, supporting a range of combinable crops
including winter wheat, barley, and oilseed rape.
The land is currently cropped with barley.
Access to the land is provided directly from Yarnfield Lane.

Lot 3 - Land to the south of Yarnfield Lane extending to about
98.78 acres. Shown coloured pink on the sale plan.
The land within lot 3 comprises about 98.78 acres of
predominantly south facing arable land with interspersed areas of
mature woodland and ponds in a ring fence.
The arable land has been farmed under a contract farming
agreement for in excess of 10 years and has been well managed,
supporting a range of combinable crops including winter wheat,
barley, and oilseed rape.
The land is currently cropped with barley.
Access to the land is provided directly from Yarnfield Lane.

High-speed Rail (HS2)
The current proposed route for the HS2 Phase 2A development
will affect field nos. 7467, 6080, 9846 and 2031. We understand
an area of approximately 35 acres will be taken (permanent loss)
within the above land parcels for the development of the rail line.
Additionally, we understand an adjoining area of approximately 58
acres will be required for temporary use during the development
period. The farm is currently subject to an access licence for
ground investigation survey purposes/ borehole monitoring to
August 2022.
Further details are available from the selling agents.

Soil Types and Land Classification
The farmland is classified as Grade 3 and Grade 2 according to
the Natural England Regional Agricultural Land Classification
Maps.
According to the Soil Survey of England and Wales, the soils are of
the Whimple 3 association and are described as reddish fine
loamy or fine silty over clayey soils with slowly permeable
subsoils and slight seasonal waterlogging and are generally
suited to dairying and stock rearing and winter cereals.

Method of Sale and Lotting
The property is offered for sale as a whole or in up to three lots as
identified on the sale plan. Cross rights and reservations may be
imposed and granted for the provision of access, maintenance,
services, and other rights where required.

Ingoing crop valuation/holdover
If appropriate, the purchaser(s) shall be required to take and pay
for any growing crops, including enhancement, seed, fertiliser,
sprays and lime, plus tillage in accordance with the CAAV
costings guide, in addition to the price offered for the property.
Contractors' rates will be charged where applicable. The valuation
is to be made by Fisher German LLP as agents acting for the
vendor and valuers appointed by the purchaser(s). If timescales
dictate otherwise, then a right of holdover may be required.

Basic Payment Scheme and Environmental Stewardship
The land is registered on the Rural Land Register and the vendors
have claimed payments under the Basic Payment Scheme.
Entitlements will be included within the sale/s and will be
apportioned based on lotting areas.
Where entitlements are transferred, then payment for the current
scheme year will be retained by the vendors and the purchaser/s
will indemnify the vendors against any breech of cross
compliance.
The property is not entered into any environmental stewardship
schemes.

Mineral, Sporting and Timber Rights
As far as they are owned, the mineral, sporting and timber rights
are included in the freehold sale.

Rights of way, wayleaves and easements
The property will be sold subject to and with the benefit of all
rights of way, wayleaves and easements, whether mentioned in
these particulars or not.

Overage
Lot 1 will be sold subject to an uplift provision which will specify
that 30% of any increase in value of the land or buildings due to
development (as defined in Section 55 of the Town and Country
Planning Act 1990) will be payable to the Vendors or their
successors in title should such development occur within 30
years from the date of completion.
The uplift will be payable upon sale or implementation but shall
not be triggered by any development for agricultural purposes.

Tenure and Possession
The property is offered freehold with vacant possession available
upon completion. Subject to sale timing the Vendors may enter
into a cropping licence post harvest.

Services
A private water supply (borehole) serves the farmhouse, annexe
and farm buildings. We understand a connection to a mains water
supply could be established within the property boundary.
A mains electricity connection serves the farmhouse, annexe and
farm buildings.
Heating to the farmhouse and annexe is by way of electric heaters
and secondary solid fuel heating.
Drainage for the residential elements is to a private system. None of
the services have been tested by the selling agents.

Data Room
A secure data room containing relevant title documentation,
plans, BPS, and copies of EPCs will be made available to
interested and verified parties. Please contact the selling agents
for login details.

VAT
Any guide price quoted or discussed is exclusive of VAT. In the
event that a sale of the property or any part thereof or any right to
it becomes a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax
will be payable in addition to the sale price.
Local Authority
Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, ST16
3AQ
Tel:

Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings whether mentioned or not in these
particulars are excluded from the sale but may be available by
separate negotiation.

Plans, Photographs and Measurements
The plans, photographs and measurements within the sales
particulars are provided for identification purposes only and do
not form part of the sale contract and the purchaser(s) shall be
deemed to have fully satisfied themselves as to the description of
the property and neither the vendor nor the vendors agents will be
responsible for defining the boundaries or the ownership thereof.

Solicitors
Nigel Davis Solicitors
3-4 Spire House, Waterside Park, Ashbourne, DE6 1DG
Tel:
Attn. Mr Matthew Elias

Viewings
All viewings are strictly by appointment through the joint selling
agents.

Marketed by: Fisher German, Ashby de la Zouch