Description
240.77 acres (97.44 hectares) of productive arable land with areas of pasture and woodland available in 5 lots
Introduction - The land has been accumulated over the past seven years by a local owner to form an agricultural portfolio to compliment a larger land holding in Dorset. All lots have been farmed by a local contract farmer under a contract farming agreement. The sale affords opportunities for investors, farmers and amenity buyers to acquire a range of acreages.
Lot 1 - Land At Grove Lane, Knole, Ta10 9Ja - 53.62 acres (21.70 hectares)
Two fields of productive arable land with good road access off Grove Land and Great Lane and a spring fed stream running along the northern boundary. The soil is very workable Evesham Series clay with limestone over Lower Lias and is classified Grade 3 on the ALC. Currently sown to winter wheat, the land has produced heavy crops in recent years.
Lot 2 - Land At Highbrooks, Ta11 7Hz - 54.13 acres (22.91 hectares)
Two parcels of level productive arable land of Grade 3 Evesham and Somerton Series soil plus Highbrooks plantation; 7 acres of maturing mixed broadleaf woodland comprising mainly poplar, ash and oak. The land benefits from access off the A372 and Highbrooks and is identified locally by the poplar plantation adjoining the A372.
Lot 3 - Land At Etsome Hill, Ta11 6Jd - 50.19 acres (20.31 hectares)
Four parcels of productive level arable land lying 50m above sea level providing panoramic views. The Grade 3 soil is a highly workable and relatively free draining limestone brash. The land has two access gates off Etsome Hill Road.
Lot 4 - Land At Etsome, Ta11 6Jd - 52.80 acres (21.37 hectares)
An intriguing mix of pasture and arable land offering environmental/BNG/conservation potential. Sandwiched between Etsome Hill and Barpool Lane is 26.52 acres of sloping permanent pasture with clumps of mature oak trees and bushes and levelling out at the bottom. Sandwiched between Barpool Lane and the River Cary are three level fields of loamy clay soil pasture and arable land. Grades 3 and 4.
Lot 5 - Land At Dundon Hayes Drove, Ta11 6Jd - 30.03 acres (12.15 hectares)
Three parcels of level arable capable land. Lying 8m above sea level the soil is loamy clay Alluvium and is Grade 4. Two parcels were land drained in 2018. Access is along Dundon Hayes Drove which is an unclassified highway maintainable at public expense up to parcel 5571. The River Cary forms the southern boundary and on the opposite side is a solar park.
Location - The land lies in two main blocks. Lots 1 and 2 are 2.5 miles south of Somerton, between Knole and Catsgore, convenient for access from the A372 between Podimore and Langport.
Lots 3, 4 and 5 are located just north of Somerton at Etsome, partially on a ridge overlooking surrounding countryside and partially on the edge of Somerton Moor. Access is off two lanes from the town.
Directions - What3Words for road entrances
Lot 1: ///dunk.lends.agreeable
Lot 2: ///chopper.sculpting.flush
Lot 3: ///chat.octagon.accent
Lot 4: ///rigs.gaps.sums
Lot 5: ///amber.weeps.purified
Services - Mains water not currently connected to any lot. A water main runs in Etsome Lane adjoining Lots 3 and 4.
Cropping - Recent years cropping is available on request. Current crops are:
Lot 1 - Winter Wheat
Lot 2 - Fallow, Maize, woodland
Lot 3 - Winter Linseed
Lot 4 - Permanent pasture and CS AB15 Legume Fallow
Lot 5 - Fallow
Holdover - Holdover to harvest growing crops will be reserved. Anticipated completion is September 2025, therefore this is only likely to apply to the Maize crop in Lot 2. Grass keep agreement on Lot 4.
Agricultural Schemes - BPS Delinked payments are excluded.
The land is currently in a Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement to 31/12/2027. The buyer will take this on and payment for the calendar year of completion will be apportioned pro-rata. The agreement is available on request.
The land is in a Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement to 31/01/2028. It is understood that this is currently not transferable by the RPA, therefore will be terminated. However, this maybe reviewed subject to RPA guidance.
Designations & Restrictions - Part of Lots 3 & 4 are in a surface water NVZ. None of the land is in a Landscape Area (formerly AONB). Lot 5 has a public footpath running along the River Cary.
Mineral rights are reserved under parcels 9833 in Lot 1 and 6071 in Lot 2. There is an overage clause on parcel 6134 in Lot 1 affecting non-agricultural development which expires 10/11/2028.
Viewing & Enquiries - Contact the Joint Selling Agents: Andrew Tuffin, Symonds and Sampson 01258 472244 or Andrew Capel, Robinson Hall 01234 352201.
