REED COURT FARM Hunton Road, Marden, Tonbridge, TN12 9SX

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LOCATION REED COURT FARM Reed Court Farm has been owned and managed by the Tipples family since 1951 and from the beginning, small HUNTON ROAD Wealden farms have been purchased and amalgamated to creat e a single commercial enterprise. This part of Kent is a well-known agricultural district with traditionally farmed units including livestock, cereals, fruit and MARDEN hops. Combinable crops have been the main enterprise on this farm for the last 20 years and a traditional mixed arable rotation has been practiced in tandem with a Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

TONBRIDGE Originally the farming system was based around livestock grazing, fruit growing and hop production, but over the years KENT TN12 9SX these have been rationalised into the modern arable farm that can be seen today.

DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION

The farm is situated about 2.5 miles to the northwest of the village of Marden with its mainline railway station and local Marden - 2.5 miles facilities. The County town of lies approximately 6 miles to the north with its connections to the motorway Maidstone - 6.0 miles network and full range of amenities. The town of Tonbridge is situated approximately 14 miles to the west. Tonbridge - 14.0 miles METHOD OF SALE A non-residential agricultural farming The Property is offered for sale by Private Treaty as a whole or in two lots as described in these particulars. The unit in the heart of the of Kent Vendors reserve the right to sell the property by informal or formal tender at a later date.

SOIL TYPE AND CLASSIFICATION extending to about 401.19 acres. The majority of the soils are the Thorne and Titchfield series described as clayey soils in Weald clay, with loamy

 Over 65% of the soil type on the farm is fragmental or clayey soils in Head. Along the are soils of the Parkgate and Hook series described as silty

in brickearth, slightly or moderately affected by fluctuating ground water. Along the Lesser Teise are smaller areas of classed Grade II with a water abstraction the Fladbury, Conway and Ridley series. licence.  A range of modern farm buildings with grain The soil and land use classification maps indicate that about two thirds of the farm are classified as Grade II with the storage capacity for 1,500 tonnes in bins remaining one third being classified Grade III. This tallies with the Vendor’s experience of cropping and managing the and on floor. land over the last fifty years. The less productive parts of the farm along the river and to the east have been pasture  Arable, pasture and woodland with BPS for several years whilst in many places the arable land is a deep loamy brickearth capable of growing high yielding entitlements included. cereals or root or vegetable crops. Significant parts of the farm have land drainage and plans are available on request. The southern part of the farm falls within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.  Frontage to the Rivers Beult and Lesser Teise. Several ponds and areas of woodland with sporting and environmental benefits.

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY AS A WHOLE OR IN TWO LOTS

Viewing strictly by appointment via the sole agent:

BTF Partnership Challock 01233 740077 [email protected]

CURRENT FARMING The 2017 cropping is as follows: Arable crops etc. 275.12 acres Permanent Pasture 100.67 acres Woods, Ponds etc. 23.93 acres Sites etc. 1.47 acres Total 401.19 acres

HOLDOVER Holdover will be required by the Vendor to cut, cart and store the cereal crops on the farm after completion.

BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME The Basic Payment Scheme entitlements will be included in the sale and apportioned to each lot as follows:

Lot 1 65.39 hectares Lot 2 87.67 hectares

The Vendors will make the 2017 claim and retain the payment. The purchasers will be required to comply with the Cross-Compliance rules from the date of completion The fishing rights to the central section of the River Beult Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone House, King until 31 December 2017 and indemnify the Vendors on Lot 1 are owned by the London Angling Society who Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JQ against any breach committed during this period. have car parking and rights of access. Please contact the Tel: 01622 602000

selling agents for further details. HIGHER TIER COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP South East Water, Snodland, Kent ME6 5AH SCHEME PLEASE NOTE: The water surface of the River Beult is Tel. 0333 0000247 The Vendors have entered into a 5-year Higher Tier designated as an SSSI. Countryside Stewardship Scheme which expires on 31st EDF Energy, Osprey House, Osprey Road, Exeter EX2

December 2020.This pays a total of £37,250 over the 5- 7WN IRRIGATION year period with a commitment to low input grassland and Tel: 0800 0964063 The farm has the benefit of a Summer water abstraction some farmland bird and pollinator plots. licence from the Rivers Beult and Lesser Teise at eight OUTGOINGS

designated locations on the river bank. The Licence no. Annual drainage rates are payable to the Upper Medway The purchasers will be required to take over the Scheme is 9/40/3/0124 and further details are available on Internal Drainage Board. Rates for 2016-17 were upon completion and indemnify the Vendors against any request. £237.25 for the whole farm. breach between completion and 31 December 2017. The

Vendors will make the 2017 claim and retain all payments SOLAR PANELS DIRECTIONS relating to the 2017 claim year. A copy of the agreement There is a 30KW P solar system on the roof of the grain Please see Location Plan. From the centre of the village is available on request. stores situated on Lot 2. The infrastructure will pass with of Marden, follow Pattenden Lane north turning left at the

the freehold together with the agreement to sell surplus junction into Hunton Road. Follow the road to SPORTING RIGHTS power to the National Grid. where the land will be found either side of the highway The shooting rights are in hand and will pass to the after about 1 mile, just after leaving the village. Both lots purchasers. The fishing rights to part of the Lesser Teise LOCAL AUTHORITIES have direct access to the Hunton Road and Lot 1 also has and the River Beult in the north-western corner of Lot 1 Kent County Council, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent access from Dairy Lane to the west of the village. The are owned by the Dartford and District Angling and ME14 1XQ postcode for the general area is TN12 9SX.

Preservation Society who have rights of access on foot Tel: 0300 0414141 from their designated car park. PARTICULARS OF SALE

LOT 1 – REED COURT FARM WEST The land is situated to the east of Hunton Road with the The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all APPROX. 168.79 ACRES arable areas being located mostly to the south and west rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, The land lies to the west of Hunton Road and comprises of this block and extending to approximately 130.63 drainage, water, electricity supplies and other rights and mainly arable field parcels with some woodland shaws acres. The pasture land lies to the north and east and obligations, easements, quasi-easements and restrictive and ponds. borders the River Beult. This has traditionally been cut covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves and for hay and grazed with sheep, and extends to about masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains and pipes whether The pasture land extends to about 17.05 acres and 83.62 acres. The balance of land in this parcel is made referred to in these particulars or not. An overhead borders the south bank of the River Beult. The Lesser up of woodland shaws and ponds. electricity wayleave on pylons crosses Lot 2. Teise forms part of the southern boundary of this lot. GENERAL REMARKS AGENTS NOTES The arable land amounts to approximately 144.49 acres TENANT RIGHT We wish to inform prospective purchasers that we have across the rest of this lot and in the past has grown a wide There will be no ingoing charge for tenant right unless prepared these sale particulars as a general guide. None variety of crops including fruit and hops. completion is delayed until after the autumn 2017 drilling of the statements contained in these particulars relating to and cultivations have taken place. this property should be relied upon as statement of fact. LOT 2 – REED COURT FARM EAST TIMBER All measurements are given as a guide and no liability can APPROX. 232.40 ACRES be accepted for any errors arising therefrom. We have FARM BUILDINGS All standing timber is included in the sale, including cricket bat willows grown for Gray Nicolls and due for harvesting not carried out a detailed or structural survey nor tested With access from the Hunton Road and fronting a the service, appliances or any fittings. concrete yard, these comprise the following (please see in 4 or 5 years’ time.

Block Plan): PUBLIC FOOTPATHS The vendors will reserve 50% of any future development A few public footpaths cross the land. A deposit under uplift for conversion of the farm buildings or the hopper 1. 700 tonne Scorpion steel frame grain store erected Section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 and the huts for a 21-year period after completion. in 2013 with roof mounted solar panels. The Commons Act 2006 has been lodged with Kent County building has an electric roller shutter door (100ft x Council. Further details available from the selling agents. PLANS, AREAS AND SCHEDULES 40ft). The plans within these particulars are based on Ordnance 2. Scorpion 400 tonne grain store with Law Denis RIGHTS OF WAY Survey plans and are for reference only. The acreage continuous flow-dryer, pre-cleaner sieves and fans The farm benefits from established access rights over schedule is taken from the RPA digital maps and the and 2 x 30 tonne holding bins. Elevators connect to unregistered roads and tracks to gain access to parts of purchaser will be deemed to have satisfied themselves on a pair of 200 tonne circular steel grain bins situated Lot 1. the area of land for sale. to the rear (60ft x 50ft). 3. 4-bay traditional steel frame and galvanised roof DEADSTOCK FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Dutch Barn (60ft x 30ft) for machinery storage. The The Vendors reserve the right to hold a farm machinery All items normally known as tenant’s fixtures and fittings building is clad on two sides. sale on the property up to 8 weeks from the date of are excluded from the sale. The purchasers will not be 4. A concrete frame general purpose building (60ft x completion. entitled to make any claim or set-off in respect of 20ft) with a concrete floor and fully enclosed roller dilapidations or any other matters. For the avoidance of shutter door. VIEWINGS doubt the following fixed items around the yard and 5. Two cold stores of cedar wood construction. One Strictly by prior appointment with the sole selling agents buildings in Lot 2 are included with the freehold sale of the store is used for general farm storage and the other BTF. Prior to making an appointment to view, the agents property: is in commission for the storage of fruit. strongly recommend that you discuss any particular - Solar panels on grain store roof. points that are likely to affect your interest in the property - Grain drying fans and control equipment. To the north in a separate site are a range of former with a member of their staff. hopper huts arranged in three principle blocks and of BTF Partnership varied construction including brick and timber. PHOTOGRAPHS Tel: 01233 740077 The photographs in this brochure were taken in the spring Fax: 01233 740088 of 2017. Email: [email protected] THE LAND WAYLEAVES AND EASEMENTS

BTF and any Joint agents for themselves and for the Vendors of the property whose Agents they are, give notice that (i) These particulars are produced in good faith, are set out as a general guide only and do not constitute any part of a contract (ii) No person in the employment of or agent of or consultant to BTF has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatsoever in relation to this property (iii) Measurements, areas and distances are approximate, Floor Plans and photographs are for guidance purposes only and dimensions shapes and precise locations may differ (iv) It must not be assumed that the property has all the required planning or building regulation consents. A list of the Directors of BTF is available for inspection at each BTF Office.

DETAILED BUILDINGS PLAN

Clockhouse Barn, Canterbury Road Challock, Ashford, Kent TN25 4BJ Tel: 01233 740077 Fax: 01233 740088 Email: [email protected] www.btfpartnership.co.uk