Pennine hill farm offers potential for development

An extensive upland stock farm on the Lancashire/West Yorkshire border is being offered for sale through property consultants Carter Jonas for the first time in almost 60 years.

The sale of Boulsworth End Farm near Burnley in Lancashire along with land and buildings at Ridge Fold Farm, near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire marks the final involvement of three generations of the Westall family in sheep farming on the high grassland and moors around Widdop and Boulsworth Hill. Together the farms extend to over 1,440 acres, but there is also potential to acquire an adjoining moor of c. 1,500 acres on a Farm Business Tenancy from Yorkshire Water, which is being vacated by the vendors.

Boulsworth Moor is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), whilst pasture and woodland adjoining Thursden Brook is also classified as a Site of Biological Heritage. Although not currently in any stewardship schemes, a recent report has estimated the property could generate up to £30,000 per year in the Entry Level and Higher Level stewardship schemes.

The main farmstead at Boulsworth End comprises a three-bedroom farmhouse with adjoining stone barn as well as a range of modern farm buildings. Two stone barns also have planning permission for conversion into a three-bedroom residential dwelling and a five-bedroom holiday cottage. Land comprises some 1,040 acres of open moorland, 98 acres of rough grazing as well as approximately 210 acres of enclosed meadow, pasture, and grazable woodland.

Ridge Fold Farm extends to some 85 acres of ring-fenced meadow and upland pasture with two general livestock buildings along with planning permission for a third. The property immediately adjoins Yorkshire Water-owned moorland around Widdop Reservoir and there is the potential for the construction of an agriculturally-restricted dwelling, subject to receiving the necessary consents.

Tom Whitehead, an Associate at Carter Jonas’ Harrogate office, who is handling the sale, comments: “This is a unique opportunity to acquire a diverse portfolio of upland agricultural and amenity land with significant potential for further enhancement and development: A most attractive acquisition for a wide range of farmers, investors and amenity land buyers.”

The property is for sale by informal tender, through Carter Jonas and local agent Gary Hoerty Associates. Best and final offers are to be received by Wednesday 9th July 2008, with the property available either as whole, with a guide price of £2,110,000, or in up to 11 separate lots.

For more information, visit Carterjonas.co.uk.