Location

The land is located in a very pleasant rural setting within the small and desirable village of Athelington in mid Suffolk.

The historic market town of Eye is just five miles from the land offering a wider variety of services. The South Norfolk town of Diss lies about eleven miles to the north-west and from here there are Inter-City trains to Norwich and London's Liverpool Street station. Framlingham, with its medieval castle, is nine miles to the south, and the Heritage Coast, with the popular centres of Southwold, Walberswick and Dunwich, is about twenty miles to the east. The county town of Ipswich lies about twenty one miles to the south, and Norwich is about thirty miles to the north.

Method of Sale

We have been instructed to offer the property for sale by private treaty inviting offers for the whole or in two lots with the intention of achieving exchange of contracts as soon as possible with completion eight weeks thereafter or sooner by agreement. 

It is expected that the Purchaser will be required to sign an ‘Exclusivity Agreement’ with a 5% ‘Exclusivity Fee’ being paid to and held by the Vendor’s solicitor. A copy of the draft ‘Exclusivity Agreement’ is available from the Agent. 

Vendors’ Solicitor

Ellisons Solicitors, 2-6 Arcade Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1EL. [use Contact Agent Button]. Contact Name: Andrew Fleming. [use Contact Agent Button] 

Local Authority

Mid Suffolk District Council, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX; [use Contact Agent Button].

Description

The land at Athelington offers the Purchaser an opportunity to acquire a sizeable block of highly productive arable land, extending in all to 120.96 acres (48.95 hectares). The land is located in a desirable and attractive location in rural Suffolk, with nearby access onto the A140 which connects Ipswich and Norwich. 

The land is offered for sale in two lots and is shown for identification purposes on the enclosed plan.

Lot 2 - Arable Land 

Lying to the south of Athelington Hall, lot 2 comprises two good sized arable fields extending in all to 55.25 acres (22.36 hectares).  Gently undulating in topography the two fields total 33.56 acres (13.58 hectares) and 21.69 acres (8.78 hectares) respectively.  As per lot 1, they are well suited for modern arable farming and have been farmed in-hand under a cereal rotation by the Vendor.

The two fields are also classified as Grade 3 with base-rich loamy and clayey soil characteristics. There is good access into both fields from the public highway, being Southolt Road.  The largest field, currently cropped with millet can also be accessed directly off Horham Road.

The land is well drained and copies of the drainage plans are available from the Agent.  

Viewings

At any reasonable time with particulars in hand by prior arrangement with the Agents.  Given the potential hazards of a working farm and associated machinery, we please ask that you be as vigilant as  possible for your own personal safety  when making an inspection the property.    

Rights of Way, Wayleaves and Easements 

The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way, wayleaves and easements that may affect the land.  

Timber, Sporting and Minerals

All sporting rights, standing timber and mineral rights (except reserved by Statute or to the Crown) are included in the sale of the freehold. 

Environmental Stewardship Scheme 

The land is included within a Mid-Tier Environmental Stewardship Scheme - Agreement No 1062550. The Purchaser/s will be responsible for complying with the terms of the five year scheme through to its termination on 31st December 2024.

Boundaries

These are shown for identification purposes only on the attached plan.  Purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to these as no error, omission or misstatement will allow the purchaser to rescind the contract nor entitle either party to compensation thereof.  

The land is registered with the Land Registry within Title Number SK243163.

Town and Country Planning

The property is sold subject to any development plans, tree preservation orders, ancient monument orders and Town and Country schedules or other similar matters that may be or come into force.

Outgoings

The land is sold subject to any drainage rates and other outgoings that may be relevant. 

VAT

Should any sale of the land, or any right attached to it, become a chargeable supplier for the purpose of VAT, such VAT shall be payable by the purchaser in addition to the contract price. 

Tenure and Possession   

The land is for sale freehold with vacant possession upon completion. 

Quotas and Basic Payment Scheme

Ahead of any more detailed announcement, DEFRA advised in 2022 that Basic Payment would be delinked from land and farming activities after 2023.  The occupation of farmland in 2024 and thereafter, will not give rise to any Basic Payment. The Purchaser will be able to consider the options offered under DEFRA’s Environmental Land Management and other schemes. 

The Vendor will retain the Basic Payment Scheme income from the 2023 scheme year and the Purchaser will indemnify the Vendor in respect of all action, cost, claims and demands in connection with any failure on the part of the Purchaser to comply with cross compliance requirements in respect of the 2023 scheme year. 

Ingoing Valuation

If applicable, in addition to the purchase price, the Purchaser will take over and pay for all cultivations and growing crops upon completion.  Payment is to be made at the figure assessed by the Vendor’s agent based upon CAAV rates or contractors’ rates where applicable and invoiced costs of seed, fertiliser and sprays applied.  

Overage 

Not applicable.

TUPE 

Not applicable.

Information Pack 

An information pack containing further details relating to Basic Payment Scheme, Environmental Stewardship Scheme, previous cropping, land drainage etc is available for inspection at the Agent’s Office or can be emailed to interested parties. 

Lotting and Cross Rights

If the Property is sold in Lots, there may be reserved rights agreed to benefit each Lot and to ensure that continued access, maintenance and supply of services across the Property.  Further details of these rights can be obtained from the Agents.

NOTES

1.    These particulars are produced in good faith, are set out as a general guide only and do not constitute any part of a contract. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchasers or lessees in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. Interested parties should rely on their own/their surveyors investigations as to the construction type of the property and its condition. Any distances, and measurements which are given are approximate only. Any plans are indicative only and may not be the same as the transfer plan/s.  No guarantee can be given that any planning permissions, building contents or building regulations have been applied for or approved.

2.   Under Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 we, as Estate Agents, are required to obtain identification from buyers in the form of the photo page of your passport or a photo driving licence. The document must be in date.  In addition, we need proof of address in the form of a utility bill with the name and address of the buyer. This must not be more than three months old. We are also under obligation to check where the purchase funds are coming from.      September 2023