Meadow Wood - Buckland Filleigh

METHOD OF SALE

The property will be offered for sale by Online Traditional Auction (unless sold prior.) The auction end date is Wednesday 24th January 2024 at 6pm.

The vendor reserves the right to withdraw or alter the property for sale prior to the auction end date.

SITUATION

Located approximately 10 miles north-east of Holsworthy and 1.5 miles east of Shebbear, both of which offer a range of amenities, the woodland lies in attractive, rolling Devon countryside with the popular coastal resorts of Bideford and Clovelly 13 and 16 miles respectively. There is convenient access onto the A30 from Okehampton (14.5 miles) which, in turn, provides dual carriageway access to the cathedral cities of Truro and Exeter. Meadow Wood, once part of the Buckland estate, is part of a large block of forestry. It is set back off the road about a mile and accessed through a locked gate, and over stoned rides through mature Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce. It lies in a sheltered and very private and peaceful position, with the cabin sitting in an elevated position in the centre of, and overlooking its own land.

DESCRIPTION

“The essence of nature and tranquillity” is how the current owners describe the land. In all, Meadow Wood comprises 7.85 acres of mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland. The two cabins have been built roughly in the centre of the land, in an elevated position, and enjoy a view towards the brook. One provides a portable camping toilet, the other provides a tool storage area and space to shelter from the elements and sit and warm one's self at the wood-burning stove. The Mussel Brook (a small river,) runs along the eastern woodland boundary.

The current owners have enjoyed frequent stays in the cabin to fully appreciate the peaceful calm of the woodland, its rich abundance of birds and wildlife and to carry out improvements to the property. Part of the woodland is carpeted with bluebells that make way for pink campions and other wild flowers as spring turns to summer. The vendors have made a network of paths over the property. There is a range of maturing fruit trees in the meadow including pear, apple, plum and quince.

There are no mains services connected. Adjacent to the cabin is a large picnic table and benches, made from wood from the property. This provides an ideal spot to sit quietly and watch deer, foxes badgers and other wildlife, perhaps with a glass of wine on a summer's evening. To the west of this is a meadow area which is in the process of being re-wilded. The land provides a wonderful opportunity for camping under the recently increased 60 Day Camping Permitted Development and it also lends itself to picnics beside the river or for a very considerable firewood supply. A couple of years ago a stand of Sitka Spruce beside the river was felled and largely cleared and this area is being allowed to regenerate naturally. There is an opportunity for the woodland to be further enhanced by active management to create a more diverse natural environment. This could include the extension of the small pond into a larger nature lake and more active planting (subject to obtaining any necessary consents.)

SERVICES

There are no mains services connected.

GRANTS AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Whilst there may be opportunities to obtain woodland or environmental grants, the current owners have not explored these, leaving the land without the usual restrictions that can apply with these. The land also offers opportunities to sequester carbon with potential Natural Capital income streams.

TAX ADVANTAGES

Woodland ownership also attracts various tax advantages. If the woodland is commercially managed: It should attract 100% relief from income tax, Inheritance Tax (once owned for more than 2 years) and increases in the value of the growing timber should be completely free of CGT (although the increase in the value of the land is still liable to CGT.) Purchasers must not rely on this and should take their own Tax Advice.

WAYLEAVES, COVENANTS AND RIGHTS OF WAY

The land is sold subject to and with the benefit of any wayleave agreements in respect of electricity or telephone equipment crossing the property, together with any restrictive covenants or public or private rights of way. The Ordnance Survey Plan shows there are no public rights of way crossing the property. There is a covenant restricting the property from being used as a commercial campsite and various other uses that are likely to cause the neighbours a nuisance, which is reciprocated in the neighbours titles. Further details are available upon request.

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, Devon, EX39 9QG. T: 01237 28700

PROOF OF IDENTITY

Under Money Laundering Regulations 2017 it is a requirement for Estate Agents to perform due diligence checks on any person that intends to bid at auction. There will be a requirement for ALL bidders to register via Bamboo and complete the ID checks in advance of the auction date. There is no charge for registration.

BUYERS AND ADMINISTRATION FEE

The successful purchaser(s) will be liable to pay the sum of £5,000. From this a buyer’s fee of £2,400 inc VAT is retained by Stags/Bamboo as a contribution towards the online platform costs, and £2,600 is payable towards the purchase price.

An additional administration fee of £600 inc VAT will be payable by the successful purchaser immediately after the auction.

On Completion, the purchaser(s) shall also reimburse the vendor the cost of the searches carried out. (This would usually be paid by a buyer in a private treaty sale.)

DEPOSIT PAYMENT

The Seller and Buyer agree that the winning Bidder of each lot may transfer the remainder of the 10% deposit (less the amounts paid online) within 48 hours of the end of this online auction. Clauses 6.1, 6.2 and 7.1 of the Holding Deposit Agreement shall be read as amended to reflect this accordingly. The remainder of the 10% deposit payment is handled by the buyer’s solicitors and must be in their client account no later than 48 hours post exchange. It is essential that you instruct your solicitor in advance of the auction.

LEGAL PACK

Copies of the legal pack and special conditions of sale are available online to be downloaded, via the tab on the online auction property listing page. Prospective purchasers will need to register with the Bamboo online platform in order to download the legal pack. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to make all necessary enquiries prior to the auction. Prospective purchasers are strongly advised to inspect the legal documentation and to consult legal advice prior to bidding.

SOLICITOR ACTING

Thurstan Hoskin Solicitors, Chynoweth, Chapel Street, Redruth, TR15 2BY.

FAO: Stephen Morrison. Telephone no. 01209 213646. Email: [email protected].

TENURE AND COMPLETION

The land is sold freehold and is being offered with vacant possession on completion.

DEFINITION OF GUIDE AND RESERVE

Guide price(s) are an indication of the seller's expectation. Reserve price(s) are a figure below which the auctioneer cannot sell the lot at auction. We expect the reserve will be set within the guide range or no more than 10% above a single guide figure. Guide prices may change at any time prior to the auction.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SALE

Particulars, remarks and stipulations contained herein shall be deemed to form part of the special conditions of sale/auction information pack and in case of any inconsistencies the provisions of the latter shall prevail. Special conditions of sale/auction information pack is available online. It is assumed that the Purchaser will have made all necessary enquiries prior to the auction.

VIEWINGS

Strictly by prior appointment with the vendor's appointed agents, Stags Bideford Office.

DIRECTIONS

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From Shebbear leave the village heading east passing the grounds of Shebbear College on your left. Proceed straight over the first two crossroads, signposted Buckland Filleigh. Pass Buckland House on the right and the access track to the woodland is the next on the left, after about half a mile. Follow the track through fields and for viewing, park beside the locked gate into the woodland on the right. Proceed on foot along this track and after 1/3 of a mile follow the track down hill and take the first turning on the left proceed for another 1/3 of a mile, past the neighbours cabin and the Meadow Wood will be found directly in front, and off to the right of you at the end of the track, immediately after crossing a bridge of a stream. (Purchasers will be given the keys to the gates.) A For Sale Board has been erected at the entrance to the woodland.

BUYERS AND ADMINISTRATION FEE

The successful purchaser(s) will be liable to pay the sum of £5,000. From this a buyer’s fee of £2,400 inc VAT is retained by Stags/Bamboo as a contribution towards the online platform costs, and £2,600 is payable towards the purchase price.

An additional administration fee of £600 inc VAT will be payable by the successful purchaser immediately after the auction.

On Completion, the purchaser(s) shall also reimburse the vendor the cost of the searches carried out. (This would usually be paid by a buyer in a private treaty sale.)

DEPOSIT PAYMENT

The Seller and Buyer agree that the winning Bidder of each lot may transfer the remainder of the 10% deposit (less the amounts paid online) within 48 hours of the end of this online auction. Clauses 6.1, 6.2 and 7.1 of the Holding Deposit Agreement shall be read as amended to reflect this accordingly. The remainder of the 10% deposit payment is handled by the buyer’s solicitors and must be in their client account no later than 48 hours post exchange. It is essential that you instruct your solicitor in advance of the auction.