96.32 acres of agricultural land
27.82 acres of parkland
6.76 acres of scenic lakes
12.88 acres of mature mixed woodland
INTRODUCTION
Fornham Park represents an exciting opportunity to secure a strategic property comprising a range of land uses located to the north of the market town of Bury St Edmunds. Situated on the northern edge of Fornham St Genevieve, the site provides potential for a purchaser to create a private estate or to diversify into other uses, subject to planning. The Vendors preference is to undertake this transaction as a Share Sale of Fornham Country Park Limited, which owns the subject property that is the Companies only property Assets.
LOCATION & SITUATION
Fornham Park is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Bury St Edmunds and situated on the northern edge of the village of Fornham St Genevieve. The property is adjacent to the B1106 and access to the property can be taken directly from the Public Highway. The B1106 links directly onto the A134 which connects the property to the A14 and surrounding areas.
Bury St Edmunds is a desirable market town for both locals and tourists with a range of shops, restaurants and amenity areas/attractions such as the Abbey Gardens and St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
AGRICULTURAL LAND
The land extends to 96.32 acres divided into four large fields. Currently the land is grassland with the potential to be converted back into arable land suitable for commercial farming. The land gently slopes south westerly towards the River Lark and the Lakes. The soils are mainly of the Newport 4 Association which are described as well drained sandy soils suitable for cereal crops, sugar beet and potatoes. The land has previously been cropped with sugar beet, maize, rye and winter wheat.
PARKLAND
Extending to 27.82 acres in total, the majority of the parkland forms part of the southern land situated adjacent to residential properties and the adjoining Aspen Country Park development. This area of land benefits from a range of mature trees and a separate access directly off the B1106 roundabout. The rest of the parkland extends around the lakes in the centre of the property.
WOODLAND
The main woodland is an attractive block extending to approximately 9.57 acres of mature broad leaf and conifer trees situated adjacent to the agricultural land to the north. The woodland benefits from an access directly off the Public Highway, Mill Road. The remaining areas of woodland are made up of small areas of trees and shelter belts.
LAKES
The scenic lakes are situated to the south west of the property and extend, in total, to 6.76 acres. A boathouse is situated on the northern bank of the eastern most lake.
Constructed of brick plinth with an oak frame under a pantile roof.
BROWNFIELD SITE
Extending to 29.16 acres of former landfill, the land has been restored to amenity grassland with an elevated view of the surrounding property. The land is filled in part with inert soils and part builder's waste and is regularly monitored by the Environment Agency.
BUILDINGS
Agricultural Building - A concrete block building measuring approx. 9.5m x 6m situated in the centre of the property. Church Tower The Church Tower, being the remains of the Fornham St Genevieve Church lies in the centre of the property. A fire destroyed the church in 1782 leaving only the tower which was subsequently used as a folly for the estate. The tower is Grade II* Listed and currently houses a redundant water tank.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN POTENTIAL
Owing to the property's location and local environmental context, the land provides opportunities for the uplift of onsite habitats, mostly agricultural land, for the purposes of generating Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Units. Such uplift could include the creation of new species-rich grasslands and woodland parcels and the enhancement of existing freshwater ponds and marginal river areas. Generated units can be sold commercially to developers in England and would be of particular value to those seeking to develop within the Bury St Edmunds local planning authority or national character area.
GENERAL REMARKS & STIPULATIONS
METHOD OF SALE
The property is offered for sale by Private Treaty as a whole.
If a purchaser is interested in part of the property, they are invited to discuss their requirements with the selling agents.
The Vendors preference is to sell 100% of the issued share capital of Fornham Country Park Limited.
TENURE AND POSSESSION
The property is offered for sale freehold with vacant possession on completion.
EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS & COMPLETION
Exchange of contracts to take place 28 days after receipt by the Purchaser's Solicitor of the draft contract and completion will be 28 days after exchange.
A deposit of 10% of the purchase price will be payable on exchange of contracts. If early entry is required then the purchaser/s will be asked to pay an additional 10% at that stage.
WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing rights, including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights, easements, quasi-easements, and all wayleaves whether or not referred to in these particulars. There are some third-party rights of way over the driveway adjoining North Lodge for the access to the central dwellings outside of the ownership.
There is a right of way over the driveway as an emergency access to the holiday lodge park adjoining.
There is an easement in place in favour of Eastern Concrete to draw water as shown on the plan marked with an "X".
TIMBER, SPORTING AND MINERALS
All sporting, standing timber and minerals (except as reserved by statute or the crown) are included in the sale of the freehold.
BOUNDARIES
The Buyer shall be deemed to have full knowledge of all boundaries and neither the Seller nor the Selling Agents will be responsible for defining boundaries nor their ownership.
PLANS, AREAS AND SCHEDULES
These have been prepared as carefully as possible and based on Ordnance Survey data. The plans are published for illustrative purposes only and although they are believed to be correct, their accuracy is not guaranteed.
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING
The purchaser(s) will be deemed to have full knowledge and have satisfied themselves as to any planning matters that may affect
the property.
The following properties are Listed:
Church Tower (Church of St Genevieve at Fornham Park) - Grade II*
Icehouse - Grade II
OUTGOINGS
The land is sold subject to any drainage rates or other outgoings that may be relevant.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
All fixtures and fittings are excluded within the sale unless specifically referred to in these particulars.
DISPUTES
Should any disputes arise as to the boundaries or any points concerning the particulars, schedules, plans and tenant right issues, or the interpretation of any of them, the question will be referred to an arbitrator appointed by the selling agent.
ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION
In accordance with the most recent Anti Money Laundering Legislation, Buyers will be required to provide proof of identity and address to the Selling Agent once an offer has been submitted and accepted (subject to contract) prior to Solicitors being instructed.
Photographs
Please note the photographs used within these particulars and some of the website were taken in 2024.
VIEWINGS
Strictly by appointment with Brown & Co.
29.16 acres of a former brownfield site restored to amenity grassland
