Lifting of lockdown sees spike of farms activity: Cornwall & Devon in the spotlight
FOR SALE - Ryall Farm, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon
FOR SALE - Higher Swannaton Farm, Dartmouth, Devon
FOR SALE - Great Youlden, Sampford Courtenay, Okehampton, Devon
FOR SALE - Tobarn, Jacobstow, Bude, Cornwall
FOR SALE - Whiteleigh Farm, Whitstone, Holsworthy
SOLD - Greencliff Farm, Abbotsham, Bideford, Devon
SOLD - Helland Barton Farm, Helland, Bodmin, Cornwall
SOLD - Trevidgeowe Farm, Withiel, Bodmin, Cornwall
The easing of lockdown measures has seen a hive of activity experienced by Kivells Farms Department, particularly in Cornwall and Devon.
Unusually for an opening statement to an article, we try to find some form of conclusion, but we fail to deduce any sole reason for the activity spike. The recent launches of farms show no mass exodus from the industry, nor panic to market conditions (or future projections), with each vendor having their reason for selling, and with no desperation resulting in each farm launching to the market. We consider the busy spell perhaps undertaking six months’ worth of work in two months.
Over the last month, Kivells has seen well over 1,100 acres of farms and land launched to the market, with collective guide prices in excess of £12million. It has also seen sales conclude of some 600 acres worth of farms with a cumulative guide price in excess of £8million.
These figures in themselves show, ironically, that the 2020 Covid year is one of busiest for Kivells for some years.
What is evident is demand continues to be very strong in the Southwest for farms and land. Perhaps due to its relatively steady performance both in terms of asset value retention and investment yield at a time when other investments have crashed, perhaps because agriculture remains a very tax-efficient asset class, perhaps because agriculture has continued to perform (and indeed be widely recognised) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, and perhaps it is simply the age-old adage “they just don’t make any more!”
We begin our report on farm launches with Ryall Farm, Holsworthy. Extending to 121 acres with 3 bedroom detached house, this immaculate farm represents a real credit to the vendor. Being well farmed, and relatively dry in comparison to the immediate area’s more drought-resistant nature, this private and south-facing farm represents a fantastic agricultural or residential opportunity at £1.2million. Director, Mark Bromell comments, “Maintenance of the farm is first class and rarely do we find such a farm that has been so meticulously maintained by a vendor.” At the time of writing Ryall Farm is available on the market, but interest has been strong with offers forthcoming in earnest.
Staying in Devon, Higher Swannaton Farm, Dartmouth, provides a picturesque opportunity with this 57 acre farm for sale in six lots, sat two miles from Dartmouth, on top of the western flanks of the River Dart, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offering tremendous views across the South Devon Coast. The south-facing 7 bedroom house and wider barn conversions offer ample accommodation.
Ian Caunter of Kivells Exeter reports, “We have great pleasure in launching Higher Swannaton Farm and whilst the lotting provides individual opportunities with land, barns and the principal farmhouse, the availability of the property as a whole equally presents a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity that is not to be missed!” The farm is guided as a whole at £1.59million.
Opportunities in dairying are also widely available at present with the launch of four dairy farms to the market. Firstly, Devonshire dairy farm, Meadwell Farm, Lifton, provides 3/4 bedroom house, 3 bedroom cottage and 263 acres of ring-fence land and modern dairy facilities, including 16:16 herringbone parlour.
Director, Simon Alford reports, “With comfortable accommodation in Meadwell Farmhouse and Michaelmas Cottage, either split generation or farmer and herdsperson, can effectively run this well-equipped farm with a fantastic run of productive grass in a sought after farming district.” The farm is on the market as a whole guided at £2.4million.
At Sampford Courtenay, Okehampton, the launch of Great Youlden Farm represents a modern opportunity for dairying on smaller acreage.
With 75 acres and a well-presented 3 bedroom bungalow, offering substantial dairying infrastructure, and the ability to buy in forage or take wider land, the modern range of dairy buildings with cubicles for 125 head and 32:32 herringbone parlour is guided at £1,075,000, with a further 38 acres immediately adjacent, being marketed on behalf of a separate vendor, known as Land at The Dutch Barn, in the sum of £250,000. Great Youlden and its adjoining land presents a great opportunity to move into dairying or to expand from another unit, whilst offering further opportunity for growth.
Sticking with dairy farms but moving into Cornwall, Tobarn Farm, Bude, launches to the market comprising another well-equipped dairy with 279 acres of level ring-fenced pasture, home to a 260 cow dairy unit with 26:26 herringbone parlour and 4 bedroom farmhouse, offered for sale in four lots, but with interest for the whole being strong since its launch.
Farms Coordinator, Jackie Chegwyn reports, “Guided at £2.68million this productive and well-equipped farm offers exceptional access and infrastructure, enabling dairy operators to run Tobarn Farm either independently or as a satellite unit to wider dairying, representing a truly commercial opportunity on this sought after part of the North Cornish Coast.”
Whiteleigh Farm, Whitstone, also launches in Cornwall, being a 339 acre ring-fenced farm with south facing 4 bedroom farmhouse offering the largest of our dairying opportunities. With cubicles for 376 and the separate ability to acquire three double robotic milking parlours, a real ability exists to consider a wide range of opportunities from continuing with robots, intensive dairy systems or extensive dairy systems. Head of Farms, Thomas Rattray reports, “The announcement of Whiteleigh Farm’s launch has presented a good level of initial interest, with both those wishing to dairy and those looking for the rare opportunity to acquire in excess of 300 acres in a ring fence in Cornwall. Large open and level fields offer good opportunities for arable farming, rough shooting and other enterprises besides dairying. We welcome all to Whiteleigh Farm to see the opportunity it presents.”
Sales too have been prevalent throughout the end of immediate lockdown with multiple completions having taken place including Greencliff Farm, Bideford. Extending to 85 acres with a 4 bedroom Grade II Listed farmhouse, this superb coastal location with stunning views has resulted in a happy vendor and happy purchaser, given the hard-to-come-by setting.
Director, David C. Kivell reports, “The charming accommodation of the featureful 17th Century farmhouse, combined with the sea views and coastal vistas, complemented by immediate coastal walking from the Property, and ease of access into the nearby amenities of Bideford, meant Greencliff Farm was extremely sought after. We are delighted to have received the instruction and subsequently found a buyer who recognises the lifestyle opportunity Greencliff presents.”
The largest of Kivells’ pre-Covid farms offered to the market has also now sold, being Helland Barton Farm, Bodmin. This 421 acre farm with 5 bedroom farmhouse and pair of let cottages presented a great opportunity. Being managed as an arable unit for many years by the vendor, interest came from across the country from investors, to those interested in green-field dairying opportunities on this ring-fenced farm’s large tranche of land, and also those involved in arable and other livestock enterprises. The farm has however found a local buyer. Head of Farms, Thomas Rattray reports “Guided at £4.75million the sale of Helland Barton Farm represents the end of our client’s long farming dynasty in the district, and having been delighted to handle the sale of the farm and thereon successfully find a buyer in testing market conditions, we wish our vendor well with their well-earned retirement!”
Trevidgeowe Farm is also set to complete this month being a 108 acre farm with 5 bedroom farmhouse situated near Withiel, Bodmin. Guided at £1.65million this deceased estate sale saw great opportunity, with the blank canvas of a farmhouse ripe for renovation, two-bedroom single storey lodge and also barns for conversion, set in a ring fence only a few miles from both the North Cornish Coast and also from the A30 spine road throughout Cornwall.
For those wishing to enquire on farms recently launched, or for those wanting a no obligation and confidential conversation with our experienced and dedicated Farms representatives, our team look forward to receiving your contact.