Land at Cottered Farm

Cottered Farm is a productive commercial bare arable land farm with a large central hardcore yard. Approximately 656.98 acres (265.86 hectares) of productive Grade 2 and Grade 3 land. Currently split as follows:- 633.39 acres of arable - 17.99 acres of woodland and about 5.60 acres of tracks, yard, water and miscellany.

Situation
Cottered Farm is located to the south of the village of Cottered in Hertfordshire. The town of Buntingford is approximately 2.5 miles to the east and Stevenage Town Centre is approximately 8.8 miles to the southwest. Transport links to the national motorway network are via the A10 to the east at Buntingford and the A1 to the west at Stevenage. Stevenage also provides fast rail links into London. The farm can be accessed via Baldock Road to the north and Warren Lane to the south.

Description
Cottered Farm is a productive arable farm that includes several areas of woodland (17.99 acres) and extends to approximately 656.98 acres (265.86 hectares).

The arable land at Cottered Farm extends to approximately 633.39 acres of predominantly Grade 2 & 3 land under the MAFF Provisional Agricultural Land Classification. The land is separated into several large field parcels meaning that it is easily worked with modern agricultural machinery. Most field parcels are enclosed by mature hedgerows and tree lined boundaries. The land benefits from a central hardcore track that provides good access to all field parcels. There is also a large hardcore yard located in the centre of the holding that has been used recently for bale storage.

The Soil Survey of England and Wales records the soils as being lime-rich loamy clay soil with impeded drainage. The land has been used for conventional combinable cropping as well as maize production.

The areas of woodland on the holding mainly comprise Oak and Ash mixes with some Wild Cherry and Hornbeam.

Designations
The farm is included in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone and a Drinking Water Safeguarding Zone for surface water. In addition, there is a scheduled monument on the property referred to as the ‘The Island’ which comprises a former moated homestead dating back to the 11th or 12th century. This area is now predominantly woodland, but the former moat is still visible.

Country Stewardship
The land is entered into Countryside Stewardship under a Mid Tier agreement. The current agreement expires on 31 December 2024. The agreement is part of a larger scheme that incorporates neighbouring land farmed by the current contract farmer with payments being apportioned between the two landowners. It is envisaged that the agreement remains in the name of the contract farmer until either the point where it expires or the contracting agreement is brought to an end. The vendor will retain all payments in relation to the scheme year 2023. Full details of the agreement are available on request from the selling agent.

Registered Title
The property is registered under Title Number HD602462.