Location

The land is located on the outskirts of the mid Suffolk village of Mendlesham.  The popular village of Mendlesham is located just west of the A140 Ipswich to Norwich Road and is 19 miles from both Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.  Stowmarket Railway Station, on the main line to London, Liverpool Street is within easy reach.

There are two picturesque villages within the parish, Mendlesham and Mendlesham Green and also outlying hamlets and houses.  There is a primary school and a community centre with playing fields and tennis courts.  There is also an excellent health centre covering the district.  Mendlesham Green also offers play facilities and scout hut.  There are a range of businesses including amongst others, a village store, fish and chip shop and public house.

Method of Sale

We have been instructed to offer the property for sale by private treaty inviting offers for the whole or 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/s 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

Barker Gotelee, 41 Barrack Square, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 3RF. [use Contact Agent Button]. Contact Name: Miles Coates. [use Contact Agent Button]

Local Authority

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

Description

The land at Mendlesham offers the purchaser an opportunity to purchase a block of highly productive arable land extending in all to 116.86 acres (47.29 hectares).  The land is located in a desirable location in mid Suffolk allowing easy access onto the A140 which connects Ipswich and Norwich. 

The land is shown for identification purposes on the enclosed plan.

Lot 1 - Arable Land

116.86 acres (47.29 hectares) - this block of arable land lies to the south of Ashes Farm and comprises six arable fields.

Lot 1 is well positioned, with access from Tan Office Lane at the south and Oak Farm Lane from the north.  The individual fields are well defined with mature trees, hedgerows and ditches around the perimeter on most sides.  

The land has been farmed in hand to a high standard and has typically been in a white straw rotation of wheat, barley, oil seed rape and beans. It should be highlighted that the land is extremely ‘clean’, with very little blackgrass.  Lot 1 is gently undulating in topography and is well drained - 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.  

It should be noted that the wayleave payment for the pylon standing within the Property has previously been capitalised.

The Vendor will retain a right of way for all purposes and at all times over the track and accessway coloured yellow and shown between points ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the plan, in order to access their retained land.

An adjoining property owner to Lot 2 has a right of way over and along the access from Oak Farm Lane,  being ten meters wide and fifteen meters deep. 

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 within an Environmental Stewardship Scheme (Agreement No 704570), but the Vendor is seeking to terminate the scheme as at 31st December 2023. If not, the Purchaser may be required to take on the obligations of the 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 under Title Numbers SK249082, SK137592 and part of SK249081.

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.  This is understood to mean that 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, previous cropping, Countryside Stewardship, 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