High Hedley Hope Farm, East Hedley Hope, Bishop Auckland, Durham, DL13

An Investment farm/opportunity sold subject to the existing Tenancies.

Description

SUMMARY
The sale of High Hedley Hope Farm offers a rare opportunity to acquire a large commercial farm lying within a ringfence and producing significant income. The farm which lies in open countryside three miles north east of Tow Law mainly lies on a flat escarpment approximately 250 metres above sea level with generally large, versatile fields around the main farm steading with grazing land, much of which can be ploughed and has grown whole crop, maize and herbal leys in recent years. The land falls towards the stream and southern boundary at around 200 metres above sea level where the land use is mainly grazing bordered by Amenity Woodland. The holding has a traditional five bedroom farmhouse recently improved to include solar panels, a heat pump and new radiators with further accommodation in the adjacent three bedroom bungalow. The farm buildings are exceptional in terms of their scale, providing around 100,000 sq ft of cover including cubicles for approximately 600 cows and a 70 place rotary parlour installed in 2019. The amenity and landscape value is enhanced by established mixed woodland and shelter belts, and there is excellent access to the majority of the fields off the council highway and internal farm access tracks. The amenity aspect is enhanced by a small shoot run on the farm to take advantage of the natural contour, woodland and beck side.

Adjacent to the farm buildings is a five acre site, housing an Anaerobic Digester plant. The plant is currently being refurbished by Bio Capital who intend to re-open the plant, initially to inject bio-methane into the grid and subsequently aim to bring the plant into full service to generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion.

The farm offers significant rental income to a purchaser, currently £120,000 from the farm FBT and £30,000 from the AD Plant lease, as well as the medium-long term opportunity for vacant possession on a large, commercial farm with extensive fixed equipment.

Please note that the seven wind turbines on the farm are not owned and are therefore not included in the sale, but are subject to the necessary rights of access.

FARM BUSINESS TENANCY - THE PROPERTY
Included within the FBT is the farmhouse, bungalow (subject to an Occupancy Condition), the large range of farm buildings and land extending in all to 297.3 hectares (734.6 acres). Lease Commencement Date 22nd June 2022 Term- 22 years from 1st July 2021 until 30th June 2041.

AD PLANT
The High Hedley gas plant was acquired by Bio Capital in January 2025 and is currently being refurbished to bring it back into full service in two
phases. Phase one will enable the plants to inject bio methane into the grid, and subsequently the aim is to generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion, transforming waste into bio-methane, electricity and bio fertiliser. We understand that the plant has potential to process 25,000 tonnes of food waste per year, with a gas to grid capability of 350 m³ and a power output of 0.5 MW.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
There are two dwellings on the farm which lie within the FBT. The farmhouse is located to the south of the farm steading with the bungalow (The Garth) adjacent to it. The farmhouse is a two storey, double fronted detached dwelling of stone, brick construction with rendered elevations under a slate tiled roof. The accommodation on the ground floor includes kitchen, office, living room, lounge and conservatory, in addition to which there are five bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor.

Recent improvements include the provision of solar panels, a heat pump and upgraded radiators. The bungalow is stone- faced under a slate tile roof with accommodation including kitchen, living and dining room, conservatory, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

FARM BUILDINGS
A very extensive range of farm buildings is one of the principle assets of the holding. The buildings which are of mixed ages and construction, provide almost 100,000 sq ft of livestock accommodation and storage. The buildings are configured to support the existing dairy herd and include approximately 600 cubicles and a rotary parlour for 70 cows together with associated equipment which was installed in 2019. Future investment will be required to improve the slurry storage.

LAND
The land lies within a ringfence and in total extends to approximately 761 acres (307.9 hectares). The land lies generally between 200 and 250 metres above sea level with almost half of the farmland capable of Arable production or reseeding for leys. The land is well farmed as will be evident to viewers. The northern half of the farm is generally level, with large open fields most of which has been cultivated to grow whole crop cereals, maize and herbal leys. The land slopes towards the stream and slope





Additional Info

DIRECTIONS- The farm lies to the southside of the B6301, approximately 3 miles north east of Tow Law.

POSTCODE- DL13 4PR

TENURE- The freehold of the property is offered for sale subject to the tenancies and lease described in this brochure. Title reference DU301510 – 633.57 acres (256.40 hectares) Title reference DU133972 – 61.50 acres (24.88 hectares). Title reference DU239402 – 66.05 acres (26.73 hectares). Please note that there are seven wind turbines situated within the boundary of the farm. The turbines together with rights of access are not included within the sale having been previously sold.

RIGHTS OF WAY, EASEMENTS & WAYLEAVES- The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all wayleaves, easements and rights of way whether public or private and whether mentioned or not. There are a number of public footpaths crossing the farm, details of which can be supplied upon request.

METHOD OF SALE- The farm is offered for sale by private treaty as a whole.

SERVICES - We understand that there is mains water, electricity and septic tank drainage. There are solar panels on the roof of the farmhouse together with a heat pump. Oil central heating to bungalow. Spring or water supplies to many of the fields.

SPORTING & MINERAL RIGHTS- The sporting rights are owned and reserved to the landlord. The mineral rights are reserved to previous owners.

EPC- Farmhouse – G valid until March 2027. The Garth Bungalow – F expired.

COUNCIL TAX- Farmhouse – Band D Bungalow – Band C

BUSINESS RATES- The AD Plant and premises have a rateable value of £100,000 under reference D 05.

LOCAL AUTHORITY- Durham County Council - T:

PLANNING- The Durham Council Planning Portal lists the planning history for the property relating to both the erection of agricultural buildings and consents relating to the AD Plant, of which the most significant is reference APP/X1355/ /12/21/88/741.

VIEWINGS- Strictly by appointment through the selling agents at Savills.

FIXTURES & FITTINGS- All items usually regarded as tenants’ fixtures and fittings are specifically reserved from the sale.

HEALTH & SAFETY- Given the potential hazards of a working farm, we would ask you to be as vigilant as possible when inspecting the property for your own personal safety and in particular around the buildings, water courses, fields and livestock.