Wood Farm, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire Wood Farm, Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 6JJ A fantastic opportunity to acquire this predominantly ring fenced farm that is in close proximity to London and located near the very pleasant rolling countryside of the Gade Valley and Gaddesden. Comprising circa 433.85 acres (175.576 hectares) of land, a large four/five bed farmhouse, a three bed bungalow and a range of buildings totalling circa 27,568 sq.ft (one of which has permission to convert to two dwellings), this property offers extensive agricultural, development, equestrian, shooting and other leisure and amenity possibilities, subject to the usual consents. Hemel Hempstead - 4 miles Berkhamsted - 5 miles M1 (J8) - 5 miles M25 (J20) - 10 miles Luton Airport - 13 miles Central London - 30 miles 433.85 acres (175.576 hectares) For Sale by Private Treaty as a whole or in six Lots Enquiries to: Jack Panton 01727 223931 45 Grosvenor Road St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3AW [email protected] bidwells.co.uk Introduction Method of Sale Wood Farm originally dates back to the late 19th Leisure facilities in the area include golf courses at Ashridge, Berkhamsted, Boxmoor and Chartridge, The property is to be offered for sale as a whole or Century, once being part of the Gaddesden Estate, in six Lots by Private Treaty. and has been owned by the same family since the The Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, various local sports centres and Champneys spa near Tring. 1970s. Since then land has been bought and sold to Tenure and Possession create the Farm in its current guise, much of which is now within a ring fence. The outlying land at There is also huge scope for walking and horse The majority of the property is offered for sale Corner Farm has been farmed by the family since riding in the local area with many footpaths and freehold with vacant possession save as that there the 1930s. bridleways over thousands of acres of open would be a right to Holdover on the land for the countryside, including the Chiltern Hills and existing crops until 31 October 2016. The Vendors The Farm sits in an elevated position looking south Ashridge Forest; about 4,000 acres of woodland, also politely request the right to use Buildings 6, 7 & west across glorious views of the Gade Valley and common land and down land. 8 for grain storage for up to six months after currently comprises up to 433.85 acres (175.576 completion. hectares) of arable, pasture and woodland, a large Wood Farm also benefits from comprehensive four/five bed farmhouse, a three bed bungalow, plus communication links by both rail, with frequent trains The bungalow (part of Lot 2) is subject to a Rent an extensive range of buildings that could be put to leaving Hemel Hempstead reaching London Euston (Agricultural) Act 1976 Tenancy. The Tenant has a number of business uses, with the necessary in approximately 27 minutes, and road; the M1 (J8) Security of Tenure, with only very limited opportunity consents. The rural setting also provides great is within 5 miles and the M25 (J20) is within 10 to determine. The current rent passing is £400 per opportunity for leisure and amenity pursuits to be miles. Luton airport is also only 13 miles away. month. undertaken. Planning and Development Opportunity Access and Directions Situation The property lies within the Green Belt and the Heading North on the M1 exit at Junction 8 and stay It is very well located being in a semi-rural position in Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and so on the A414 to Hemel Hempstead. Go straight over the south western part of the county of Hertfordshire certain planning restrictions apply, but it has a the first roundabout and turn right at the second, and within relatively close proximity to London number of agricultural buildings, which could be put follow the road turning left at the next roundabout, (30miles). The property is situated in the Chilterns to alternative commercial or equestrian uses, subject right at the following one and then left at the next Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just to the north to the necessary consents. one onto Link Road. Go straight over the first of the town of Hemel Hempstead, south west of the roundabout and right at the second onto Piccotts popular hamlet of Gaddesden Row, south of Great Prior Approval has been granted for Building 9 for End Road. Follow the road for about 0.5 miles then Gaddesden (including the Gaddesden Estate) and the change of use from agricultural use to two turn right onto Dodds Lane. A further 0.5 miles later adjacent to the village of Piccotts End. residential units under Class Q of the General turn left and Wood Farm is at the end of the road. Permitted Development Order 2015 (Application Local amenities include The Marchmont Arms pub Reference: 4/00356/16/APA). Heading South on the M1 exit at Junction 9 and take and restaurant, situated in the village, the Old the A5/A5182 exit to St Albans. At the roundabout Chequers Public House in Gaddesden Row, the Further similar residential and commercial take the first exit onto Dunstable Road/A5183. Alford Arms at Frithsden and the Red Lion at Water opportunities are available on other buildings. Follow for circa 6.5 miles going straight over five End. The nearby towns of Hemel Hempstead and Including Part 4 Class R of the General Permitted roundabouts. At the next roundabout turn right onto Berkhamsted provide an extensive range of shops Development Order 2015, whereby buildings of up Piccotts End Road and follow for about 0.5 miles. and supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, to 500sqm and any land within their curtilage may Then turn right onto Dodds Lane and after 0.5 miles Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Tesco superstores. change use from agriculture to a flexible commercial turn left and Wood Farm is at the end of the road. Berkhamsted also has an impressive choice of use, subject to certain conditions. cafes, restaurants and pubs and the area is very Services well served with excellent schools for all ages in The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) There is mains electricity and water to Lots 1 and 2. close proximity, including Gaddesden JMI junior encourages more development and will work on the Each dwelling has its own private septic tank and school at Gaddesden Row, Beechwood Park basis of presumption in favour of development if it drainage. Preparatory School, Markyate and the renowned can be shown it is sustainable. Collegiate Schools for Boys and Girls in Berkhamsted. Sale Plan Lot 1 – Farmhouse, Buildings & Land Lot 2 – Arable Land & Bungalow x 300 - 350 homes; 37.67 acres (15.234 hectares) 250.70 acres (101.451 hectares) x an extension to Margaret Lloyd Park; (Shaded purple on the sale plan) (Shaded blue on the sale plan) As such, we believe that there is long term development potential for this land, subject to usual This is the most diverse lot and offers a wide range of The majority of the farmland is contained within this lot applications. Access is available from Dodds Lane. development and equestrian potential. It consists of a and it is currently divided into several easily workable four/five bed Victorian farmhouse in need of enclosures; the largest being 67.7 acres. The soils are modernisation (EPC C), circa 27,568 sq.ft (2,561 predominantly from the Batcombe series, which are Lot 5 – Arable Land at Corner Farm sq.m) of modern and traditional farm buildings, plus generally silts and loams over clay and some chalk. 19.76 acres (7.995 hectares) arable, pasture and woodland. (Shaded green on the sale plan) Also included in this Lot is a three bed bungalow known Wood Farmhouse has fantastic unspoilt views in a as Hillcrest (EPC TBC). This property is subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition and has a secure The land here forms a single enclosure surrounded by south westerly direction over the Gade Valley and its mature trees and hedgerow. It is currently in an arable setting, plus the opportunity for development, means agricultural tenant. Access is available directly from rotation and slopes in a south westerly direction. The that this Lot will be well sought after by those with Dodds Lane. soils are predominantly from the Batcombe series and farming, equestrian or business interests. Further access is available directly from Cupid Green Lane. details of the house and the farm buildings can be Lot 3 – Arable Land seen on the various plans and the schedule below. 43.73 acres (17.695 hectares) To the northern boundary is a bridleway, which means (Shaded orange on the sale plan) that if this lot was used for equestrian purposes there A bridleway runs along the southern boundary from would be easy access to the extensive bridleway this Lot, which means that if used for equestrian network in the area. purposes there would be easy access to the extensive This part of the farm is arable and is one large easily bridleway network in the area. Vehicular access is by workable parcel. It slopes down in a south westerly way of a publicly adopted highway, which leads from direction and the soils are predominantly from the Lot 6 – Land at Corner Farm Dodds Lane. Coombe 1 series, which are mainly well draining silts 31.58 acres (12.782 hectares) over chalk. Access is available from Dodds Lane. (Shaded pink on the sale plan) Agricultural Buildings These can be seen numbered on the sale plan and Lot 4 – Land with Long-term Potential This Lot forms a single enclosure surrounded by are briefly outlined below: 50.41 acres (20.402 hectares) mature trees and hedgerow.