Keen auction contest predicted for farm

A farmhouse together with about 325 acres of land is set to be auctioned later this month. Manor Farmhouse at Broadtown and its land, along with further land from neighbouring Littletown Farm, have a potential to realise at least £1.86 million during the sale to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Swindon, on Tuesday, July 22, at 6.30 p.m.

“Land prices have been seeing a tremendous upward pressure of late, particularly good arable land such as this and parcels with possibility to create paddocks, which this sale also includes,” says Charles Lucas, auctioneer for Dreweatt Neate, who will be conducting the sale.

“The property has been divided into six lots, with Manor Farmhouse and 77 acres of land comprising the first.

“The farmhouse needs total renovation and modernisation but will make a superb and large family home when work is completed. The extensive farm buildings from this former dairy unit have great potential for equestrian or other uses, subject to consents, and as a result a realistic guide price in excess of £850,000 has been set.

“The second lot is 122 acres of productive arable land (guide in excess of £600,000) on top of the escarpment that forms the backdrop to Broadtown. There is good road frontage and at present the majority is sown with spring barley.

“Lot three is 57 acres at Littletown Farm (guide in excess of £200,000) which nestles under the escarpment and the white horse hill figure. It is mainly pasture, with some rough grazing and woodland on the slope and a small proportion is designated a county wildlife site.

“Pastureland alongside the church in Broadtown makes up lot four – the useful parcel is around 15.5 acres (£50,000 to £75,000) divided into two fields and would be ideal for grazing ponies or horses, although it may have other potential uses in the future, subject to planning.

“Level pasture of about 48 acres (in excess of £100,000) divided into four enclosures forms lot five while lot six is a grass paddock of just under five acres (£30,000 to £35,000) that’s ideal for pony grazing off a lane that has access to bridleways with good potential for riding out away from traffic.

“This promises to be an interesting auction and, judging by our last sale at the Hilton Hotel in May, there is going to be keen competition both from within and outside the farming community for the property.”

For more details, email chippenham@dnproperty.co.uk.