Lot 1, Priors Farm, Ballast Quay Road, Fingringhoe, CO5

Priors Farm has been in the ownership of the vendors for several decades. The majority of the land has been worked to extract predominantly sand and gravel which was shipped from the private quay on the River Colne by barge to London.

The quarry has been completely worked out and all the land restored providing an opportunity to purchase the property as a whole or in five Lots.

Large areas of the land currently restored to amenity grassland could be suitable for Biodiversity Net Gain, woodland planting and carbon offset, in particular Lot 1 would be of interest for equestrian uses. Any purchaser(s) will need to take their own independent advice on the management of the property and any potential alternative use for the property.

The property is located at Fingringhoe and is within easy reach of Colchester (6 miles), the A12 Feering Junction (12 miles) and London (70 miles). In total the property extends to 152.8 acres (61.84 ha) as shown on the sale plan.

The property is offered for sale freehold subject to the existing rights of occupation.

Fingringhoe Forest School
Shooting rights currently on an annual arrangement for £5,800 plus VAT. Agreement expires 2nd February 2025.
The telephone mast located on Lot 3 is let at £1,750 per annum. A new lease is currently being put in place for 10 years.
Brick Barn annual licence £780.
Garage annual licence £1,144.

Restoration and Aftercare
Lot 1is not subject to any pre-specific restoration conditions (ROMPS).

Planning
The property is within Colchester City Council local area and is governed by their Local Plan. The property is not designated as lying within any restricted areas apart from a very small part of Lot 2 which is subject to a SSSI. Essex County Council is the Mineral Planning Authority.

The former office has planning permission for change of use to a 3-bedroom dwelling Planning Reference 223032 Colchester City Council.

Environmental and Biodiversity Net Gain Potential
Owing to the properties location and local environmental context, the land provides opportunities for the uplift of onsite habitats mostly restored quarry 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 fresh water ponds and reed beds.

Generated units can be sold commercially to developers in England and will be of particular value to those seeking to develop within the Colchester Borough Council Local Planning Authority or national character area.

Overage
The property will be sold subject to a 30 year overage provision, reserving to the seller 30% of the net uplift of value resulting from either a grant of planning consent for development and/or any capital uplift from natural capital (e.g. Biodiversity Net Gain units). In respect of development the overage will be triggered on the grant of planning consent and in respect of natural capital when a unit or a capital payment is received.

Sporting Rights
These are included in so far as they are owned.

For further details of the other Lots, please download the brochure.

Lot 1 - Guide Price: £950,000
Extending to 16 acres (6.46 ha) shaded yellow on the site plan and comprising the following:
Approximately 5.6 acres (2.3 ha) of recently restored land.
Approximately 4.9 acres (1.9 ha) of natural regeneration.
Approximately 2 acres (0.8 ha) of woodland.
Conservation lake extending to 1.3 acres (0.5 ha).
The former quarry office has planning for change of use to a 3-bedroom dwelling and superb views overlooking the River Colne.
Other buildings include a storage barn, lean-to workshop, 4 storage containers, fuel bunker (with underground diesel tank with a 6,000 litre capacity), and a brick barn which overlooks the conservation pond and River Colne.
Commercial use of The Quay has now discontinued. The actual wall of The Quay is owned by Colchester City Council.
This lot is suitable for equestrian and/or other leisure uses subject to planning, all overlooking the River Colne.

Please note viewing is strictly by appointment only through Fenn Wright - Please contact Martin Freeman.