What We Say at The Zoe Napier Group A great property with a whole host of opportunities for the incoming buyer, ranging from permissible business premises or excellent storage for classic cars to equestrian facilities where the combined floor areas of the outbuildings might offer scope for the replacement of an indoor school or a large American Barn stp.. 

What the Owners Say We have thoroughly enjoyed living here since 2010. It really has just become time for us to downsize. The acreage and wonderful woods with over 8000 trees bring much wildlife with the tranquillity of the lake – originally the only water source for the house! Our grandchildren also love it here with all the outdoor space. 

History & Background A prominent 2438 sq. ft period farmhouse, which is not listed, and whilst the farm documented to date back to the late 18th Century, the current house dates back (in part) to circa 1850, having been extensively modified and extended to offer comfortable five double bedroom accommodation with three en-suite bedrooms, as well as various improvements, including the attractive double glazed sash style windows. It is further worth noting that the cart lodge/garage building and barn of approximately 1606 sq. ft adjoins the house, offering scope for conversion to ancillary accommodation/annexe for multi-generational living.

The potential purchaser of this property will no doubt have their own plans for the extensive 33-acre grounds, containing 8000 sq. ft of outbuildings (a mix of former packing sheds/poultry houses, barns, and garaging). It could be possible to gain planning for barn conversion/s, a permissible business premises or the site being ideal for equestrian uses, subject to planning. Around two thirds of the grounds contain a relatively young 20/25-year-old forestry plantation with grass tracks and the former reservoir/lake (approximately 0.5 of an acre in size). The lake, with natural spring, was formerly the only water source for the property and contains mainly carp. Much wildlife can be observed and enjoyed, especially down by and in the woods, with the frequent site of Fallow Deer, both Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, amongst many other species.

 

Setting & Location The property is situated on the outer perimeter of the small village of Ford End, which lies in the parish of Great Waltham, between Great Dunmow and Chelmsford and easily accessible for Felsted School, the Grammar, High School and New Hall Schools in Chelmsford City and equally for those in Great Dunmow and Bishops Stortford. The village is largely surrounded by farmland with the B1008 running through from which the house has its main entrance access.

The property affords attractive, well screened, and private gardens benefitting from south and south easterly aspects with extensive terraces and part walled features. The remaining grounds contain the eight substantial outbuildings, formerly used for the, then, fruit farm (apples) or later redeveloped to provide extensive storage, workshops, and garaging.

The initial acreage forms two large meadows of just over 10 acres, providing potential grazing for horses/livestock. The remaining acreage forms the beautiful areas of woodland plantation with grass perimeter and centre tracks, naturally dividing the plantation into sections, surrounding the lake. The premises offers the rare advantage of not having any public rights of access (footpaths) crossing the land. However, the property does benefit from adjoining a bridleway for immediate off-road hacking and furthermore adjoins a footpath for country walks.

Great Dunmow 4.4 miles* Felsted 4.8 miles* Chelmsford 9.5 miles* Stansted Airport 10.5 miles* Bishops Stortford 13.5 miles*

 

Agents Notes
• There are two additional gated rights of way into the property. One is via the bridleway on the northwest boundary and the other is through the grounds of a property called Bowersdale.
• Some (not all) of the former apple stores/poultry barns have corrugated roofs which are likely to be that of a low-grade asbestos/cement material. Replacement of these roofs (if required) have already been considered from the outset in setting the guide price.
• Any reference to potential uses is subject to planning permission. No planning for development of the barns etc has been sought by the existing sellers and there will be no overage/uplift clauses should the buyer wish to explore this route post purchase.
• There are two registered titles EX831374 and EX877015
• There is a water extraction license for the reservoir/lake via Environment Agency (annual renewal/current license expires 31st March 2022)

 

Important Note PLEASE CONTACT US (THE SELLING AGENT) FOR THE FULL BROCHURE pdf AS THERE MAY BE SOME IMPORTANT 'AGENTS NOTES' WHICH YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF PRIOR TO VIEWING. In addition our client has partaken in the Popertymark Toolkit – a questionnaire which they have completed, prior to marketing, declaring and notifying buyers of important information which may help with a more informed decision when making an offer.