Bowden Pillars Farm - Whole

Available as a whole or in up to five lots

Freehold with vacant possession from March 2023 (Lots 1 to 4) and September 2023 (Lot 5)

Lot 1: Bowden Pillars Farm, including a farmhouse, farm buildings and bungalow (with AOC) set within 22.42 acres (9.08 ha) of land
Lot 2: Land at Bowden Pillars, comprising mixed farmland. About 91.87 acres (37.21 ha)
Lot 3: Land at Higher Bowden, comprising farmland and woodland. About 75.49 acres (30.52 ha)
Lot 4: Land & Barn at Fishchowter’s Lane, comprising a stone barn and 7.69 acres (3.11 ha) of amenity land
Lot 5: The Old Quarry, extending to 0.53 acres (0.22 ha)

In all 198.00 acres (80.14 ha)

Lot 1 - Bowden Pillars Farm
About 22.42 acres (9.08 ha)
Lot 1 consists of Bowden Pillars Farmhouse, Bowden Bungalow and a set of farm buildings, along with farmland and woodland in all about 22.42 acres (9.08 ha), subject to a Farm Business Tenancy due to expire in March 2023.

This presents an opportunity to either refurbish the existing buildings or alternatively to redevelop the site for a variety of potential uses (subject to planning consent).

Lot 1 has direct access from ‘Green Lane’, a public highway leading from Totnes to Ashprington, onto a private driveway.

There is also secondary access across a short right of way over a private driveway, leading into the woodland at the southern end of Lot 1. This is marked with a brown line on the sale plan.

Farmhouse
A detached red brick farmhouse of traditional construction, located at the entrance to the farm and in need of refurbishment and some repair.
The farmhouse sits at the entrance to the farmstead and has the potential to be restored to a sizeable family house. It is located in an enviable position between Totnes and Ashprington village and yet in a rural position with views over surrounding farmland. There is ample space for parking multiple cars as well as a large garden.

The accommodation extends to around 2,674 ft² (248 m²) and is set out over two floors. On the ground floor is a kitchen, four reception rooms plus utility room and w/c and on the first floor there are five double bedrooms (one en-suite) and a separate shower room and w/c, together providing extensive family accommodation. Windows are single glazed and mostly timber framed and the heating is provided by an oil fired boiler, with hot water from electric immersion cylinder. The house is on mains electricity and borehole water.

There is a long, linear garden to the rear of the house which is bordered by mature hedgerows and trees.

Bungalow
A detached, non-traditional construction bungalow, believed to be of the ‘Woolaway’ type which is built with concrete panels rather than a traditional brick, also in need of refurbishment.

Located to the rear of the site within a large garden curtilage and screened from the farmyard by trees, the bungalow can be accessed via the farmyard or by reinstating a separate driveway via the woodland below. In all, the bungalow extends to about 843 ft² (78 m²).

Please note the bungalow has been unoccupied in recent years and is in poor condition internally. The garden has been partially cleared for sale purposes, but the purchaser should budget for additional clearance works (of vegetation and general unknown rubbish & detritus).

There are the remains of several timber outbuildings within the plot too, in varying states of repair. These are overgrown and are currently inaccessible.

The selling agent is informed that the bungalow may be subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition (AOC), although at the time of printing no records are available.

Farm Buildings
A range of modern farm buildings which are currently used for livestock and fodder storage, but which present further opportunity for alternative re-use or redevelopment.

Located between the farmhouse and bungalow, the buildings offer potential for ongoing agricultural use, to be re-purposed to equestrian or other similar uses, or potentially for conversion or redevelopment to residential or commercial uses (all subject to any necessary consents).

The current owner has not explored planning potential and we ask that you make your own enquiries at the local planning authority.

In all, the farm buildings extend to about 17,622 ft² (1,637 m²).

Please see brochure for more details.

Additional land is also available - see brochure for details.

Lot 2 – Land at Bowden Pillars
About 91.87 acres (37.21 ha).
A ring fenced block of farmland and woodland extending to about 92 acres in total, subject to a Farm Business Tenancy due to expire in March 2023. It is sub-divided by mature hedgerows and fencing and by two bridleway tracks.

The land at the southern end is broadly flat and gently sloping. It reaches a high point of 152m above sea level (source: OS data) which is one of the highest locations in the area, providing extensive panoramic views across to Dartmoor, across Totnes and along the Dart Estuary. The land undulates and slopes down towards the town and the Totnes to Kingsbridge road to the north.

Much of the land has been in arable rotation, with steeper areas grazed and permanent pasture. It is sub-divided into manageable field parcels with good inter-connectivity. Soils are identified on the Cranfield University Soilscapes Series at being freely draining, slightly acid but base-rich loams.

There are small pockets of mixed species, unmanaged woodland extending in total to 2.77 acres. There are water troughs throughout the land, served by a borehole and stored within a tank within Lot 2. In the event the property is sold in lots, legal provision will be made to share this supply.

There is direct road access into Lot 2 from the north-west and the south-east corners i.e. at each end of the farm. Totnes Down Hill also provides access onto a bridleway track which runs between the fields, and off which there are various field gates into the land.

Lot 3 – Land at Higher Bowden
About 75.49 acres (30.52 ha).
A parcel of bare land located between Totnes Down Hill & Green Lane, of which about 59.54 acres is farmland and 15.95 acres woodland, subject to a Farm Business Tenancy due to expire in March 2023. The land is generally gently undulating with excellent access from public roads and good interconnectivity.

Parts of the farm are in arable rotation and some fields have been in permanent pasture. Field parcel 2854 is laid to grass and includes attractive, mature in field oak trees plus a boundary stone marking the parish boundary between Totnes & Ashprington. It has been fenced with timber posts and barbed wire.

The mixed species woodland includes a single block of about 12.37 acres in the centre of the
land, plus smaller parcels along boundaries making up the balance to a total of 15.95 acres.

There is a pheasant release pen within the main
block which is not included within the sale. The sporting rights are currently let out on an
agreement ending January 2023.

Soils are identified on the Cranfield University Soilscapes Series at being freely draining, slightly acid but base-rich loams. There is water to the land, serviced by a borehole and tank in Lots 1 & 2. In the event the property is sold in lots, legal provision will be made to share this supply.

Lot 4 – Land & Barn at Fishchowter’s Lane
About 7.69 acres (3.11 ha)
An attractive parcel of land within a small valley overlooking Totnes, with a watercourse running along the valley bottom and with Fishchowter’s Lane (a public bridleway) running along the eastern boundary.

There is a traditional barn with stone & concrete block walls situated along the western boundary part way along the field. This has two entrances, a window and a boarded loft space, plus a metal sheet roof. The barn has a wonderful view over the valley below down towards Totnes and would suit a variety of alternative uses subject to planning and any necessary consents.

Access is off the A381 Totnes to Kingsbridge road immediately next to The Old Toll House, crossing a public bridleway which is laid to tarmac. A field gate provides the entrance into the field.

There is a natural water supply (a stream) running through the bottom of the field. The ground is mostly sloping and is steep in some areas. In all, the land extends to 7.69 acres including a small woodland of around 0.22 acres.

Lot 4 is included in the Farm Business Tenancy due to expire in March 2023.

Lot 5 – The Old Quarry
About 0.53 acres (0.22ha)
A secluded parcel of woodland/amenity land within a small redundant quarry, cut into the hillside off Fishchowter’s Lane, within a few metres of Maudlin Road in Totnes. There is vehicular access via a field gate.

The site has been occupied under tenancy for private use on a tenancy due to expire in September 2023. The sale does not include any of the tenant’s fixtures such as the timber barn.

This is a wonderful sanctuary in a quiet location right on the edge of town.

There is a Tree Preservation Order on the site (with other land) and the site is not considered by the vendor to have development potential. Ongoing use for private amenity purposes is considered likely to be suitable, but purchasers should make their own enquiries.

GENERAL:

Method of sale: Bowden Pillars Farm is offered for sale as a whole, or in up to five lots by private treaty.

Tenure: The property is sold freehold and subject to the leases, licenses and agreements outlined within the text above and in more detail within the sales brochure. Further details are available from the vendor’s agent.

All licence fees and rents already received by
the date of completion will be retained by the
vendor.

Services: Bowden Pillars Farm has a private borehole water supply to the farmhouse, bungalow, buildings and land. The borehole supply is believed also to serve Bowden Lodge which can be seen on the plan at the north-west end of Lot 1. In the event the property is sold in lots, legal provision will be made to share this supply.

There is private drainage to a septic tank from the farmhouse. Bungalow drainage unconfirmed, assumed also to a septic tank.

The farmhouse has oil fired central heating.

The farmhouse, bungalow and buildings have single phase electricity.

Basic Payment: There are no Basic Payment Entitlements included in the sale.

Sporting, timber and mineral rights: All sporting timber and mineral rights are included in the freehold sale, in so far as they are owned. The sporting rights are currently let out on licence on an agreement ending January 2023.

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, support, 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.

There are no public footpaths or bridleways crossing the land, but two bridleways run through the farm along an unowned track (with access for Bowden Pillars Farm along it).

Planning: Bowden Bungalow is understood to be subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition (AOC) however no further details are available at the time of going to print. Please contact the vendor’s agent for more details.

Fixtures and fittings: All items usually regarded as tenant’s fixtures and fittings and equipment, including fitted carpets and curtains, together with garden ornaments and statuary, are specifically excluded from the sale. These may be available to the purchaser by separate negotiation.

Covenants and/or restrictions: There are restrictions / covenants listed on the Land Registry Title deeds, details of which will be made available by the vendor’s solicitors on request.

Local authority: South Hams District Council ); Devon County Council ).

VAT: Any guide price quoted or discussed is exclusive of VAT. In the event that a sale of the property, or any part of it, or any right attached to it, becomes a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable in addition.

Health and safety: Given the potential hazards of a working farm and residential properties and gardens in poor condition we ask you to be as vigilant as possible when making your inspection for your own personal safety, particularly around the farm buildings, houses and machinery. Viewings are not suitable for children.

Solicitors: Forsters LLP, 31 Hill Street, London, W1J 5LS

Viewing: Strictly by confirmed appointment with the vendor’s agents, Strutt & Parker in Exeter , or London .

Bowden Pillars Farm is superbly located on the southern fringes of the popular South Devon market town of Totnes, putting the eclectic town within around 1 mile of the farmstead.
With a market twice per week and being full of small independent shops, Totnes is well known for its ethical products and fair trade goods. There is a mainline railway station, a well-regarded community college plus grammar schools nearby in Torquay (9 miles). Dartmoor National Park, the South Hams and many of its fine beaches are all within easy reach.

The pretty village of Ashprington, with a C15th church and popular public house ‘The Durant Arms’ is located around 1.5 miles to the south east.

Sitting in an elevated position, the farm has excellent views across Totnes, along the Dart
valley and to Dartmoor.

The farm is located outside yet within striking distance of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The area is easily accessed via the A38 / A380, linking with the M5 motorway at Exeter and train services from Totnes provide access to London from 2h42m.

Marketed by: Strutt & Parker, Exeter