PROPERTYVIEW

ISSUE 101 PROPERTY NEWS FROM G HERBERT BANKS - YOUR LOCAL AGENTS SINCE 1898

ASTLEY VINEYARD - UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Matleena were also working in IN THIS ISSUE London but keen to move out into the countryside. Last year, in summer 2017,2017, G Herbert Banks sold AstleAstleyy Since moving they Vineyards on behalf of have employed Jonty Daniels to Tim and Bev Worcester 2 Haywood. In this issue we thought we based architects, Market Commentary would catch up with them and see how Glazzards, to come up with a bold they are getting on since purchasing design for the main house and ’s oldest vineyard. adjoining annex due to the requirement for renovation and they have already received planning permission for significant changes from Council. The wooded valley which forms part of the property 3 Eleni Qualifies As Town Planner has been a challenge, needing some management due to overcrowding of young trees. Meanwhile, up in the five-acre vineyard which is one of the oldest in , the work of The eight-acre property, set on a slope managing the vines continues. above the near Stourport, appealed to them as they were looking 4 for a project for them to engage the Energy Standards Reminder whole family. Whilst the family home was in Stourport, Tim Haywood was a finance director spending much of his time in London and wanting a change. Their son Chris and his Finnish wife

4 Featured Properties The cellar door shop has temporarily been moved from the annex into a summerhouse that was included in the sale. Work has already started on a new visitor centre and shop as the property was sold with pre-

Established 1898 www.gherbertbanks.co.uk 01299 896968 variation to that permission to use Bev Haywood reflects on the the warehouse as a small winery. decision to buy the vineyard - “The The project has won substantial first summer at Astley Vineyard funding from the LEADER has been challenging with a steep grant programme, managed by learning curve for us all but we Worcestershire County Council, have achieved so much already, with the aim of improving the and it has been lovely to feel so welcomed by the community. It is important for us to feel involved and it is clear the vineyard is valued by our neighbours. Not every village in this region can boast an award-winning vineyard at its heart. There is lots to do but I know in a year’s time the property will be transformed.” visitor experience. The wines have also been rebranded with the For more information visit: existing planning for this and a help of Worcester based design www.astleyvineyard.co.uk new warehouse (which had been agency, WeAreBeard and a new granted through applications website, together with an active submitted by G Herbert Banks social media presence, managed for the previous owner). The by Chris Haywood is helping to Haywoods have since gained a attract new visitors.

The strength of a diverse multi-disciplined house provides versatile and generous practice such as G Herbert Banks five-bedroom accommodation with an remains very important. It is essential to indoor swimming pool; provide our clients a high level of skill, expertise and local & national expertise. We are favoured in this late Winter/ early Spring with some significant and outstanding new instructions. These include:

Northampton Villas

• Northampton Villas just outside the beautiful village of Ombersley Market Commentary (Tim Gaston, is a fabulous residential investment Partner and Head of Residential Sales) redevelopment opportunity. It is very rare to find this type of opportunity. The The last quarter of 2017 was a very Highfield Cottage property consists of a terrace of three active sales period in our office. Some period cottages in a prominent elevated wonderful houses were sold including the • Highfield Cottage, , with position. The cottages enjoy glorious riverside gem, 5 King Stephen’s Mount incredible and truly inspiring English views over nearby parkland and east Worcester and an Edwardian house, cottage gardens. These gardens have Worcestershire. The Woodlands, in Hartlebury. There received major exposure in both national continues to be a dual market with very and international media. We are looking forward to a busy 2018 well-funded national buyers competing and, as always, if myself, Nic or Sally • The striking country house, Derwen with local purchasers. can be of assistance please do contact Barn at Kinlet on the edge of The us at the office. The 2018 market has started slowly with Wyre Forest has received substantial buyers holding back. There is continual interest. This is a remarkable property Tim Gaston: confusion over Brexit, an issue with in a glorious position and one which [email protected] affordability and the forecast of two started out as a planning project also interest rate rises during 2018. undertaken by G Herbert Banks; Nicola (Nic) Adams: [email protected] Any property which is sensibly priced • Firethorne House in North Worcester will attract strong interest as a result of a is a hugely appealing city house tucked Sally Bowen: lack of supply in the market. away in a splendid private position. The [email protected] 2 ELENI BECOMES CHARTERED TOWN PLANNER

of Professional Competence which other general practice work. involved submission of case studies, Eleni said: “Gaining this qualification a professional experience statement, has been a personal goal for the a diary log of her planning work last few years as my planning case for the last eighteen months and load expanded, mainly through a professional development plan. client recommendation, quicker Eleni is current Chairman of Hereford than I could have imagined. I and Worcester Agricultural Valuers am excited to be one of very few and her dual qualification, along professionals in the country to have with being a Fellow of the Central this set of qualifications to my name. Association of Agricultural Valuers I genuinely believe that as a team and a Registered Valuer, puts her as G Herbert Banks have never been one of only five people in the country stronger in terms of the expertise, to hold that set of qualifications. qualifications and experience which Eleni has been working to “bridge” we have under one roof and we are the gap between planners and excited to use these for the benefit of surveyors for some time now and our clients.” We are pleased to announce that this year wrote an article for the RTPI If anyone has any queries or thinks Eleni, one of our partners, has on sister professions Eleni may be able to help please qualified with the Royal Town working together. She is well do contact her at the office or email Planning Institute (RTPI) to become a placed to handle all aspects of work [email protected] Chartered Town Planner, in addition including valuations, development to already being a Chartered appraisals, viability assessments, Surveyor. Eleni became an Associate submitting and gaining planning of the RTPI in 2014 and then went consents and securing option and through the Associate Assessment promotion agreements amongst

Below are a selection of images from planning projects Eleni has been working on...

Equestrian Change of Use Full Planning for Car Park Barriers (from Agriculture) and Stabling Barn (August 2017) (March 2017)

Extension to Border Oak Farmhouse (February 2018)

Removal of Agricultural Occupancy Condition Residential Change of Use and Listed Building Consent (March 2018) (October 2017)

3 A Timely Reminder - Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

We advised in issue 8 of Property in mind and there are slightly different View that the MEES were on the rules for non-domestic properties. horizon and indeed as of the 1st If you are concerned about these April 2018 it became illegal to changes and wish to discuss them let a property with a EPC (Energy further, or in more detail, please Performance Certificate) rating of F contact either Richard Banks (rb@ or G. A let can either be to a new gherbertbanks.co.uk) or Andrea Jordan tenant or a tenancy renewal. ([email protected]). If your let Properties with an F or G rating that property already has an EPC but you are already let may remain let to don’t have a record of it they can be the same tenant, subject to the same retrieved through the online register terms, until 1st April 2020, at which (www.epcregister.com). time it will become illegal to continue with that tenancy without upgrading the EPC rating to E or above. Richard Banks: The above is with domestic properties [email protected]

FEATURED PROPERTIES

LET LET LET

The Sail Loft, Worcester Bannersfield, Knighton-on-Teme Oakville, £700 pcm £1200 pcm £1350 pcm

FOR FOR FOR SALE SALE SALE

The Ridgeways, Shenstone Derwen Barn, Kinlet Firethorne, Worcester City £495,000 £750,000 £725,000

SOLD SOLD SOLD

Park Cottage, Hartlebury Teddon Farm, Clows Top King Stephens Mount, Worcester £535,000 £1,300,000 £895,000

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