3 bedroom detached house

An Exciting Redevelopment/Refurbishment Opportunity on an Old Dairy Farm with Outbuildings and 17.75 Acres.

What We think at The Zoe Napier Group

This is a very exciting project for the right buyer where there is the opportunity to replace the existing farmhouse with a larger footprint*, alongside former expired permissions on some of the barns which could become ancillary/leisure uses or with the appropriate processes through an experienced planning consultant, potentially an even greater footprint for a new house could be achieved.

What The Owner Says

This has been the family home for well over 120 years. My Great, Great Grandfather was a Dairy Farmer and family descendants, for as long as I can remember have been milkmen, originally delivering milk with the aid of a Suffolk Punch Horse called Elb. As much as I will miss my lifelong enjoyment here, it really is time for someone with the money and knowhow to create a stunning futureproof family home.

History & Background

Romans Farm must be one of the last remaining farms in Essex for total redevelopment/refurbishment. Since at least the turn of the 19th Century the farm has been occupied by descendants of the same family, all as dairy farmers and milkmen throughout both World Wars I and II. The farmhouse is believed to date back at least 200 years or more and benefits from not being a listed building. Furthermore, there are extensive barns, including cart lodge garaging, old stables, and Dairy sheds, amongst other dilapidated barns beneath undergrowth. In addition, there is a static home on site (not registered) used for temporary living arrangements which can remain on site if required. The opportunities are endless with the potential for the outbuildings and house offering multi-generational living arrangements (stp) with the added advantages of the extensive acreage offering potential for equestrian/livestock uses.

19/00040/FUL. Demolition of existing outbuildings and construction of new dwelling and all associated works. Now expired.

20/00092/CUPAQ Application refused (appeal dismissed) for Class Q on the Part Open Fronted pole Barn.

A rural planning consultant has more recently considered that the workshop building might qualify for Class Q residential uses in addition to the potential reinstatement of the expired planning, dependent upon the current planning policies of the Local Authority (Chelmsford City Council).

Setting & Location

The property is situated in the highly desirable area of Rettendon Common, located on the South Hanningfield Road, between Rettendon Common and South Hanningfield, where each village has a lovely pub/restaurant. Rettendon further benefits from having two equestrian centres at Runningwell and Beechwood where there are bridleways and off-road hacking nearby, by arrangement. The Hanningfield Reservoir and Nature Reserve are also close by as too, good accessibility for the A130/A127 and A12/A13 respectively for both Southend City and Chelmsford City for excellent grammar and high schools.

The property is positioned on the east corner of its substantial plot which extends to 17.75 acres. Close to the two/three-bedroom farmhouse is existing cartlodge and workshop buildings. The land then extends beyond a running brook with four large meadows. Each meadow has natural boundaries and is part fenced with additional livestock paddocks and a post & rail paddock for horses within.

The agricultural/grazing land is on a gradient and is classified as Grade 3 Good to moderate.

Farmhouse for Replacement/Restoration

The farmhouse has an entrance hall with two well proportioned reception rooms either side. The rear kitchen has a vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers, including a brick fireplace with stairs leading up to the first floor. Beyond is a scullery, a lean-to, small study and rear bathroom.

First Floor Accommodation

Upstairs are two double bedrooms and a storage room.

Exterior

17.75 Acres (7.18 Hectares) No single farm payments.

Barns & Usable Outbuildings:  3217 sq ft

Farmhouse: Existing Floor Area: 1557 sq ft

Agents Notes

• One Registered Title EX940726. Part of this title (approximately 0.6 of an acre) is not included. The small paddock behind Lavendon has been sold to the neighbour. The sale will be the 17.75 acres remaining as stated in the particulars.
• A public right of way runs south to north through the first entrance and from the first meadow runs northwest out to adjoining countryside which leads up the Hanningfield Reservoir and Nature Reserve.
• See Planning History under History & Background
• Asbestos is notably evident on the premises including exposed asbestos panels in the ground floor bathroom and on external elevations on the house. Other outbuildings include the large pole barn with a corrugated composite asbestos sheet roof and cladding.
• Power Lines cross the property and include an easement for National Grid maintenance/repair of a pylon located in the first of four rear meadows. A nominal wayleave is paid to Romans Farm.

Services

Mains electricity

Mains water

Mains Drainage

PLEASE CALL FOR A FULL BROCHURE