Description
An attractive 72.78 acre residential/livestock farm well situated between Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary. Range of versatile farm buildings, productive pasture/arable land and well respected point-to-point course.
Situation - Bishops Court Farm enjoys a lovely position in the Otter Valley, near to the hamlet of Fluxton, 2 miles from the town of Ottery St Mary in the East Devon National Landscape (formerly an AONB). Ottery St. Mary has a thriving community with a range of independent shops, pubs and cafes, Sainsbury's supermarket and medical centre. To the south, the popular resort of Sidmouth (5 miles) on the Jurassic Coast offers a cinema, theatre, sports facilities and Waitrose supermarket. There are good road connections with the A30 providing access to the Cathedral city of Exeter (12 miles) with its excellent shopping, leisure facilities, international airport, mainline train station and access to the M5.
The Property - Bishops Court Farm has been farmed by the Carter family since the 1950's, firstly as tenants and latterly as owners. Much of the farm, including the farm buildings, was originally part of the larger Bishops Court Estate, which was split up in 1990s. The property offers the rare opportunity to purchase a substantial agricultural holding in the Otter Valley.
Lot Three - Bishops Court Farm 72.78 Acres (29.45 - This lot includes the main part of the farm, situated between Ottery St Mary and Fluxton with direct access at various points from the highway. The land lies adjoining New Cottages and Bishops Court. Set around substantial
hardcore yards are the versatile range of farm buildings, they comprise:-
1. 5-bay Covered Yard (30m x 10.52m) steel framed with block elevations, galvanised iron roof and cladding
2. Fodder Barn with lean-to cattle building (18.3m x 16.8m) concrete framed with part block elevations and fibre cement roof and cladding. Adjoining concrete/hardcore cattle yard.
3. Office/Store (11.6m x 4.9m) block elevations under a box profile roof, divided into four rooms with plastered walls. WC and hand basin.
4. Traditional Barn (15.6m x 5.2m) brick construction open fronted barn with tile roof, with wooden partitions.
5. General Purpose Dutch Barn with lean-to (32.3m x 20.8m) steel framed with block elevations under a galvanised iron roof used as stabling with six loose boxes, livestock housing and secure workshop with mezzanine area.
South of the buildings is a large yard area with hardcovered surface, used and known as the Point-to-Point lorry park. The farm buildings are situated outside the Natural Landscape and therefore are considered to offer potential
under the Class Q permitted development rights, thus enabling conversion from agricultural to residential use (STPP).
The adjoining farmland extends to about 70.96 acres of mainly level or gently sloping permanent pastureland bounded by mature hedges and stockproof fencing. The majority of the land is low lying in the River Otter floodplain, there are areas of rushes, with the land becoming drier as it slopes up towards the cottages and road. Numerous mature trees, including some lovely oaks. The Point-to-Point course basically follows the perimeter of the land, with the open ditch and paddock still evident, the race meeting traditionally being held in early March each year.
Services - Lot Three: Main electricity. Main water. Private Water from a well. Main Drainage
Tenure - Freehold with vacant possession upon completion, completion anticipated February/March 2026.
Rights Of Way - No public rights of way cross the farm.
Designations - Bishops Court Farm is located in the East Devon National Landscape. The land is in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).
Agricultural Schemes - The farm is entered into Environmental Stewardship. Two mid-tier schemes, one scheme ends in December 2025 and the second ends in December 2027.
Basic Payment Scheme - The delinked payments will be retained by the vendors. The land is registered on the Rural Land Register and can be transferred to the new owner, with the purchasers being responsible for the agents fees involved being £200 + VAT.
Material Information - 1. Bishops Court Farm is situated in an area with a low probability of flooding. Some areas of the lower land does flood.
2. We are not aware of any planning applications in the postcode that affect the property.
3. There is mobile coverage in the area, please refer to Ofcom's website. Standard broadband is available.
Dispersal Sale - The vendors reserve the right to hold a dispersal sale of live and deadstock on the holding prior to completion.
Overage/Uplift - The farm will be sold with an overage/uplift clause on the farm buildings and yard areas. If residential planning permission is granted within 25 years, the vendors would be entitled to a 25% uplift.
Sporting - All rights are understood to be owned and included in the sale. Racing at Taunton or Exeter. Golf at Honiton or Seaton. Sailing on the coast at Seaton or Topsham.
Local Authority - East Devon District Council. Tel 01404 515616
