Land at Stanway Hall Farm

The land at Stanway Hall Farm lies just to the south of the built area of Colchester. It is currently all let on a variety of long and short-term tenancies. The land has minerals potential (subject to planning permission) and surveys have indicated that there is a reserve of approximately 7 million tonnes.

The land, excluding one field, forms a single parcel and is shown on the DEFRA (formerly MAFF) Land Classification Plan as being Grade 2 and Grade 3.

The Soil Survey of England and Wales shows the soils to be of the Wix series, being a glaciofluvial drift. Part of the land is laid to grass and it is generally otherwise used for growing cereals with break crops of sugar beet and potatoes.

There are a number of access points onto the Maldon Road with further gateways onto Olivers Lane.

The land is all currently let. A summary of the tenancies is:-

• Farm Business Tenancy – the majority of the land, 126.16 hectares (311.75 acres), is let on a Farm Business Tenancy with a rent of £36,000 per annum. All this land lies to the south of the Maldon Road. Notice has been served to terminate the tenancy as of 28th September 2013.

• Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy – two fields situated on either side of the B1022 Maldon Road at the north east extremity of the property are let on an Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy dated 30th January 1964. Notice has been served to review the rent as from 29th September 2013.

• Leases – there are two leases for the use of land by Colchester Zoo. One is for a term of 99 years and the other has an expiry date of 29th March 2014.

• A further small parcel is subject to an annual agreement for use as a paddock by a neighbouring householder.

Further details and copies of the agreements are available from the vendor's agents on request.

Irrigation Licence
The land has the benefit of a summer abstraction licence for 3.5 million gallons of water. The licence is held by the farm business tenant. The abstraction points are on the Roman River.

General Remarks and Stipulations

Tenure and Possession
The land is being sold subject to the existing tenancies. Further details are available from the vendor’s agents.

The minerals are reserved to the vendor.

Single Payment Entitlements
The land subject to the Farm Business Tenancy has the benefit of Single Payment Entitlements. These currently rest with the tenant who is required to transfer the entitlements to the landlord on termination of the tenancy.

Higher Level Stewardship
The land let on a Farm Business Tenancy was entered into the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme on 1st November 2006. The agreement terminates as of 31st October 2016. Subject to the consent of Natural England the purchaser(s) will be required to take over the scheme and indemnify the vendor against any non-compliance resulting in a claim against the vendor.

Exchange of Contracts and Completion
Exchange of contracts to take place within 20 working days of receipt of draft contracts by the purchaser’s solicitor. Completion to be within 20 days of exchange of contracts.

Minerals
The ownership of minerals is reserved to the vendor. There will be a requirement for the purchaser(s) to grant an option to the vendor for the working of the minerals. This will provide for the purchaser(s) to be paid an index-linked royalty of 50p per tonne for all minerals extracted.

The land is also subject to an existing option in favour of a waste management company for landfill in the land from which minerals have been extracted. This option expires in 2017 and can only be exercised should minerals extraction commence prior to the option expiry date.

Further details in respect of both these matters are available from the vendor’s agents.

Sporting and Timber
Sporting and timber are included so far as owned.

Planning
The property is offered subject to any current or past development plan designation and policies, tree preservation orders, town planning schedules, applications, permissions and resolutions which may be or may come into force. The purchaser will be deemed to have full knowledge and have satisfied themselves as to the provisions of any such matters affecting the property.