Crowsheath Farm, Downham, Essex

UNDER OFFER

An opportunity to acquire a developing leisure facility with scope for further enhancement and expansion subject to planning.

• In all about  42 ha (103 acres)
• 4 bedroom detached residence
• 9 Holiday Lets
• Day ticket fishery consisting of 5 lakes
• Further substantial buildings and open yard

Introduction

Crowsheath Farm has been developed by the current owners as a mixed leisure use property but with the potential, subject to planning, to be diversified further.

Location

The property is located at the southern end of Hanningfield Reservoir, near the village of Downham, south of Chelmsford in a rural location.

General Description

The property extends in total to approx. 42ha (103 acres) with fishing lakes offering approx. 5 ha (12.3 acres) of water, 9 holiday lets, 5 CL Caravan site, mobile home, substantial buildings and detached 4 bedroom house.

The majority of the water has been established since 1999 and offers day/night coarse fishing in well stocked lakes.

The holiday lets are in two separate units and are finished to a high standard.  The farmland is currently in grass and the property is screened on three sides with broadleaf belts.

Accommodation

Crowsheath Farmhouse – a detached dwelling with annexe offering the following accommodation:

Ground Floor:
Entrance Hall:  (7.8m x 2m) with
Kitchen: (4.3m x 3.1m). 
Reception Room 1:  (7.7m x 3.6m). 
Reception Room 2:  (4.6m x 4.4m). 
Rear Lobby: 
First Floor:
Bedroom 1:  (3.1m x 3.6m). 
Bedroom 2: (3.3m x 3.1m). 
Bedroom 3: (3.9m x 3.5m). 
Bedroom 4: (3.6m x 4.6m). 
Bathroom

The Annexe
Adjoining the house is a timber framed and clad annexe providing:
Utility: (4.7m x 2.4m) (4.2m inc WC).
Sitting Room:  (7.4m x 4.3m). 
Conservatory:  (3m x 7.8m max.) 
Rear Storage Room:  (4.3m x 5m). 

Outside
There is a good sized lawn to the rear of the property set with a patio area and borders.

The Fishery

The 5 lakes are easily accessible from the main car parking area adjacent to the holiday lets.  Constructed a number of years ago the lakes provide good quality coarse fishing for all types of anglers. 

Coarse Lake
Extending to approximately 4 acres with a maximum depth of 9ft.  This lake is stocked with a mixture of coarse fish including Carp.

Specimen Lake
Stocked with a mixture of coarse fish including specimen Carp (31lbs) and Catfish (72lbs).

The Lagoon
Extending to approximately. 4.5 acres.  Originally a growing on pond now a popular fishing lake. 

The Canal
Extending to approx. 0.5 acres.  Stocked with Roach, Rudd, Tench, Chub, Ide, Carp and Bream. 

Back Lake
A new addition to the complex of lakes in 2008 extending to approx. 2.5 acres.

Stock Ponds
There are two stock ponds for growing on fish.

Bait Shop
This is a storage cabin/office used for the storage and sale of bait and tackle. 

Bailiffs Office
This is a mobile home situated overlooking the main lakes with electric and water for occupation by the site Bailiff.

Caravan Site

An area of hard standing with electrical hook up for up for 5 caravans.

Holiday Lets

Two self contained blocks of 5 and 4 single bedroom accommodation units each comprising bedroom, sitting/kitchenette and shower room, finished to a high standard.

Buildings

• 27m x 9m (approx) steel framed and clad general purpose building with office display area, rest room and toilets to the ground floor and first floor mezzanine.
• 27m x 9m (approx) lean-to utilised as workshop.
• 30.5m x 30.5m (approx) steel framed and clad general purpose building with concrete floor currently vacant and offering, subject to planning, a range of commercial or leisure opportunities. 

The Land

The land is in a single block and has been let to local farmers in the past for growing arable crops but is currently fallow.  The land is eligible for Single Farm Payments. 

Woodland Belts
Planted in 1997 with assistance from the Woodland Grant Scheme tree screening has been planted to many of the external boundaries.

The Business

The Fishery has been developed and managed as a profitable day ticket fishery for both pleasure and match anglers.  There is potential to develop the business further in association with the holiday lets.  Further information is available from the agents.

Services
Mains water and electricity.  Private drainage.

Outgoings
The commercial buildings are liable for Business Rates.  Purchasers are advised to make their own inquiries as to the treatment of the property for Council Tax and Business Rates.

Lotting
Whilst it is not envisaged that the property will be split, offers for part will be considered provided multiple offers to dispose of the entire land are received at the same time.

Planning
Crowsheath Farmhouse is subject to a Section 52 Agreement between Chelmsford Borough Council and the owner.  The agreement restricts the occupation of the farmhouse to individuals engaged or previously engaged in agriculture. 

Sporting, Minerals and Timber
Insofar as they are owned all rights to sporting, mineral and timber are included in the sale.

Legal and Planning Pack
The vendor’s solicitor has a draft sales contract with details of the results of a local search and answers to standard queries made in advance of the sale.  Also available is a summary of the Town & Country Planning history prepared by The John Bishop Partnership.

Particulars prepared August 2009

Viewing

Viewing Strictly by Appointment Through:
1 Tollgate East, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8RS

Tel:       01206 216555
Fax:      01206 216566
Email:    erp@fennwright.co.uk

Terms & Conditions/Agents Notes