Charlynch Lane, Bridgwater, Somerset

Clayhill Farm includes a comprehensive range of outbuildings that originally supported and formed a major part of a thriving and productive dairy farm, which was acquired almost 10 years ago by the current owners, who saw a massive and exciting re- development and business opportunity. As its fabulous location is so conveniently positioned in a most desirable part of the South West, with excellent M5 motorway links only a short distance away connecting them easily to the whole of the UK. Supported by the main rail links to all major cities, including London, they recognised it was the perfect place to start their business. Surrounded by arguably the most stunning outlook of the majestic Quantock Hills, an Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty, (ANOB), alongside uninterrupted views of the West Somerset countryside.

BUILDINGS

• 8 Large/Double en suite bedrooms
• Cinema - 886.66sq ft
• Workshop - 1958.68 sq ft
• Granary - 969 sq ft and
• Studio - 844.85 sq ft
• Barn - 1033.19 sq ft
• 2 further open dutch barns

PLEASE NOTE that there is an opportunity to acquire a 5 bedroom farmhouse with land, further details available on request.

The current owners set out their vision for a residential arts, educational and hospitality business and embarked on a highly ambitious conversion of all the outbuildings. Using local craftsmen, builders and specialist architects they wanted to utilise every inch of floor space. They sensitively tried to retain as much of the original history including wonderful features of its agricultural past, whilst at the same time introducing a contemporary state of the art design, finished to a high specification, creating a most impressive business facility. As such it offers immense flexibility and versatility for other exciting business ventures.

• Main entrance leading through to Granary and Studio, with disabled lift (6 monthly service record and contract in place) Underfloor heating throughout all communal areas.

• Lobby with two separate WC’s one designated disabled access. Storage above WC area and laundry/cleaning storage.

• Granary with lounge area, wood stove, Velux roof windows, original wooden beams and brick floor. Open kitchen with bread oven (not in use) and original chimney. Electric induction hob Rangemaster, fully fitted kitchen.

• Office Mezzanine – with separate entrance, roof terrace, space for 4 employees, access to storage area, a long gallery,
original grain crane.

• Large studio/hall space with open beams with inset lighting, sound system and projection equipment, polished concrete flooring, Velux roof windows with electric shutters.

• 8 separate bedrooms all with en suite with heated de-mist mirrors. 4 large (twin or king size) 4 double all with original features (stone and beams) Velux roof windows with electric shutters.

• All furniture and fittings included as part of the sale including 3 sets of linen per bed.

Boiler room – houses all services and privately accessible. Biomass boiler (commercial RHI boiler generates £8000 - £10000 per annum, dependent on usage), Pellet store (4tn), electrical servicing and solar controls.

• Inline Solar array on granary roof – 12kw -3 phase connection to barns

• EPC A grade, full wired fire alarm system, emergency lighting, Wi-Fi connected heating and hot water system.

• Large open Dutch barn to the side of the studio with storage container, external festoon lighting and power supply

• Cinema Barn – with bar and ticket office, projector room, seating for 40 people, large automatic 4m wide screen and sound equipment. Cinema Licence in place.

• Workshop – with fully fitted kitchen and toilet, large open, multi use space, large wood burner, sinks, 3 phase electric points, mezzanine, inbuilt storage container with lighting, store and garden workshop with roller shutter.

• To include a new business website with support package up to May 2024 and ongoing bookings.

THE YARD
• Additional barn & car parking space for development

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
There are extensive gardens with a fire pit, external seating, BBQ area, wood store, pergola, planting and trees, private courtyard, external lighting. Field with wild grasses. Car Park for 8 car spaces with overflow parking.

ENVIRONMENT
The current owners wanted to create a business that had as little impact as possible, but also gave back as much as possible, using the latest research, technology and ideas to connect to the wider environment through learning, living and eating.

The owners redeveloped the building using the latest renewable technology to power and heat; used a natural spring to provide water; used local sourcing and worked around the local ecology. They felt that they had to both take responsibility for the local environment and be its advocate by showing what is possible, with only a few tweaks and adjustments to how they lived, worked and learnt. The renovation brought the buildings back to life using both traditional techniques and recycled materials. Builders and building materials were all sourced locally and waste was recycled on site (e.g. waste concrete was crushed and reused in the building). Building materials were either reused or sourced from local reclaim yards; the large cow shed that occupied the space that is now the garden, was taken apart and rebuilt on a nearby farm. The building is insulated to current building regulation standards and boasts an A rating on the buildings energy performance certificate.

HEATING
The buildings are heated using the latest efficient biomass technology. This provides the heat throughout the main buildings and bedrooms using both under floor heating and controlled radiators. Biomass technology burns wooden pellets to heat a central heat store; this heat is then used to heat the space and hot water. The biomass pellets are carbon neutral (carbon released is equal to the amount captured during the trees life) and are delivered from a local company and produced in the UK. The buildings currently burn 12 tonnes of biomass fuel, that’s equivalent to two trees but more importantly offsets 5700 cubic meters of gas or 8220 litres of oil.

Heating is controlled by smart thermostats that are programmed to ensure heat efficiency and comfort. They can be controlled remotely and respond to building use i.e. rooms that are not used can be reduced to save energy. The buildings have also been designed to benefit from the solar heat from the sun. The windows on the south face of the building have been maximised to generate heat in the granary and the studio. The giant double glazed windows on the south edge of the studio building generate enough solar energy to heat this space throughout the year.

ELECTRICITY
The granary boasts a large 3 phase solar array, which provides the buildings electricity and exports electricity back to the grid when demand is low. This is designed to act as part of the roof covering and is designed to generate 7998 kwh per year, the equivalent of the total electrical usage of 2 average UK homes. All lighting throughout the building is low LED and on timers, or sensors, where appropriate. All appliances are A++ rated. Usage is analysed throughout the year to maximise efficiency.

WATER
All water used on site comes from a natural spring, which is processed and managed by the owners. The bottom field boasts a natural spring which pumps, softened, cleansed and purified water before being pumped into the barns. To keep water usage low by using dual flush mechanisms, grey water in toilets and gardens and water efficient appliances. The waste water is processed by a bio digester and releases the clean water back into a local water course.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE:
Non Domestic A- 20

For further information