Sturmer

An excellent equestrian property with an entry level price. This Cottage is a characterful three bedroom semi detached house which is well presented and improved with a rear garden room.

What We Say at The Zoe Napier Group

Properties at this price level with good acreage and facilities are as rare as hens teeth. The facilities are a hidden gem and the views to the rear are idyllic. We love the fact that you can access miles of off-road and country lane hacking via Linnets Lane from the rear. The buildings are great with anyone needing premises for permissible businesses or hobbies.

What The Owners Say

We have enjoyed 25 years here, which was nothing like what we have today in so far as the facilities. We purchased the additional land and have gradually created all that is on offer today while both successfully running our car restoration hobby and dog grooming parlour from home. We would like a new project and if anyone would like to buy our house and keep our two sheep, we would be delighted.

History & Background

An excellent equestrian property with an entry level price. This cottage is a characterful three bedroom semi detached house which is well presented and improved with a rear garden room. The property is nestled back from the road and behind its double gates are a myriad of outbuildings and activities, alongside its 3.92 acres of grounds, currently used as a menagerie, from Goats and donkeys to sheep and a pony. The dog grooming parlour is an excellent addition especially for someone with dogs or who breeds or otherwise might like to continue the business (stp). The extensive garaging stores six to seven vehicles and offers great scope for other permissible or hobby uses – currently storage and renovation for classic cars. Vehicle access continues beyond the initial yard (offering extensive parking) into the rear of the premises for additional grass parking. The remaining outbuildings are mainly for keeping the equines and livestock. The stables could easily be adapted with partitions to create three large stables, but currently they are open to provide two large areas to accommodate the donkeys lifestyle. Please see agents notes for more information.

Setting & Location

Bizarrely, the property is situated in Essex (Braintree District Council) with a Suffolk address, so you couldn’t get any more on the cusp of the glorious Essex-Suffolk border where the grounds back onto farmland down to the River Stour. The property is set back from the A1017 in Sturmer village and what we love is the fact that those with horses can access Linnetts Lane from the rear and with almost immediate access to miles of bridleways or country walks.

Sturmer is an attractive village, mainly running along the A1017 and largely surrounded by farmland with an historic church. The Stour Valley Railway used to connect from Halstead to Haverhill has since been dismantled and now forms part of the property, which is now grazing. The village lies approximately 2 miles southeast of Haverhill and about 12 miles northwest of Halstead, Essex. Well placed for the Cities of Cambridge (21 miles) and Chelmsford in Essex (30 miles). The M11 is accessible via Duxford.

Local Essex primary schools are in Steeple Bumpstead or Ridgewell and the nearest stations are at Audley End, Sudbury and Dullingham.

Ground Floor Accommodation

An open entrance porch leads to the front door a hallway with stairs leading to the first floor. The country kitchen/breakfast room offers space for a small table and is well fitted with a range of units with spaces for the white goods and a feature exposed brick detail. Access leads to the inner hall where there is a useful ground-floor bathroom and built-in boiler cupboard. Further access continues to a large services/utility room where there are side and rear external doors and an internal door through to the conservatory/garden room. The sitting room is well proportioned with a fireplace feature and throughout the ground floor is hard flooring – mostly an attractive wood effect laminate flooring.

First Floor Accommodation

Stairs rise to the first-floor landing where there are two double bedrooms, each with a built-in wardrobe and a single-sized bedroom accompanied by a stylish bathroom.

Grounds

The property is set back from the road where there is plenty of gravelled parking at the front. A pair of closed-boarded gates provide vehicle access into an extensive gravelled yard area providing additional parking for many vehicles and where there are further gates providing vehicle access through to the rear for additional parking. Within the yard is a dog grooming parlour. The building provides a reception area and two grooming rooms. The equipment could be available by separate negotiation. The main barn is used to store four classic vehicles and there is an adjacent double garage for two smaller vehicles (mini size). A further garage/machinery store is in the rear grounds with access over the grass. Behind the house is an attractive terrace area with a rain proof covered veranda for alfresco dining, a separate pergola and a covered BBQ area. The equestrian facilities include a barn providing storage for bedding and a separate feed room. There is a small stable in the sheep field and pair and a double field shelter in the furthest of 6 differing-sized paddocks. In addition, our clients have created an all-weather laminitic paddock for their pony. The Stables are currently two larger open-fronted shelters for the donkeys to come and go. Partitions and doors would create three large stables if needed and behind is a sizeable goat stable with two enclosed pens for the goats. As mentioned, our clients would love for their two friendly sheep to remain (only if possible please!)

Agents Notes

• The sale contains three title deeds. The House is on 0.16 of an acre EX382003. The adjoining dismantled railway line (1.75 acres grazing) EX710999 and the remaining adjoining 2 acres EX899689.
• EX710999 holds historic access to maintain the bridge which is not necessary as the bridge is on Linnets Lane. EX899689 was purchased containing an overage clause if ever developed. Our client informs us that less than 10 years are remaining.
• Those requiring a mortgage must ensure to inform their lender or broker that the property contains multiple titles as this may restrict the choice of lender and affect the valuation.
• The public footpath has been applied to be re-routed to a straight line through, as opposed to how it runs. If successful a small piece of land will be lost to accommodate the re-route. Our client will explain on the viewing.
• The neighbouring property has achieved planning permission to replace their existing annexe with a three-bedroom house. No windows will face onto this property.
• Most of the buildings without formal permission have been erected for more than 20 years so will have established rights to remain.
• The dog grooming parlour is permitted on a low-level business in name only. Should a buyer wish to continue this business, they will need to apply personally to the local authority.
• Our client has completed a property questionnaire to provide further information should buyers be considering making an offer. Please request this through the selling agents.

Services

Mains Drainage

Mains Water

Mains Gas

Mains Electricity

EPC rating: E. Tenure: Freehold,