2022-08-05 21:10, User_1
An outstanding livestock and arable farm overlooking Loch Ryan
Description
DescriptionSpringbank Farm is a highly productive grassland and arable unit (formerly operated as a dairy farm) capable of growing a range of cereals, forage crops and potatoes. The farm extends in total to about 273 acres (110 hectares) and includes a good sized family farmhouse with five bedrooms and two reception rooms. Attached to the rear of the farmhouse is a three bedroom Dairy House (currently let out) and a range of traditional farm buildings used for garaging and storage. There are modern buildings used for machinery storage and general workshop space. A biomass heating system is located in the outbuildings and heats the farmhouse and Dairy House. A cattle shed and silage pits complete the steading.
The land is well fenced with the majority including electric wires, and all enclosures have field troughs. The farmland is in excellent heart receiving regular applications of fertiliser and slurry with lime applied as and when required for maximum grass growth. The farm has consistently yielded over 3 tonnes to the acre of winter barley. In recent years a local potato growing cooperative has grown and harvested a summer crop of potatoes with the land then being planted in a winter cereal crop.
Springbank farmhouseSpringbank Farmhouse is accessed via a separate driveway which forks off the farm road and leads past the front of the house to a stone parking area and garaging at the side. It is a well-proportioned property offering ample family accommodation over two storeys as shown on the accompanying floor plans.
On the ground floor, the house is accessed via a sun porch which leads to an internal hallway off which lies the rest of the accommodation. A spacious dining kitchen at the front of the house has a large picture window which capitalises on the outstanding views over Stranraer and Loch Ryan - a stunning backdrop. A small living room with an open fire is accessed from the kitchen, as are the ancillary rooms towards the rear of the house including a large office and utility room, shower room and porch. The drawing room, also with the same outlook as the kitchen, completes the downstairs accommodation.
On the first floor the five bedrooms are accessed from the landing which benefits from a glazed panel above to provide natural light. The three bedrooms to the front of the property enjoy the sea views. Three of the five bedrooms benefit from built in storage and there is a spacious and modern family bathroom (recently replaced) with a stylish three piece suite and large walk in shower.
To the northern side of the farmhouse is an extensive area of lawn, enclosed in part by the stone buildings behind. To the south are the garages and parking area. The farmhouse has UPVC double glazing while heating and hot water are provided by the 100kW biomass boiler.
Springbank dairy houseThe Dairy House adjoins the rear of the farmhouse on the western elevation. The property is of traditional stone and slate construction. The ground floor accommodation extends to kitchen, sitting room and bathroom with three bedrooms on the first floor. The property benefits from UPVC double glazed windows and heating and hot water from the biomass boiler (shared with the farmhouse). The Dairy House is currently let out for £450 per month.
Farm buildingsThe farm steading is accessed separately from the farmhouse and the buildings are laid out as shown and described briefly as follows:
General/Feed Store/Tractor Shed
Steel portal frame with concrete block / brick walls and part aluminum cladding under a fibre cement sheet roof with concrete floor. Houses biomass boiler and woodchip hopper.
Traditional Range
Range of stone and brick buildings with asbestos roof coverings. The former dairy parlour and ancillary accommodation but now disused.
Cattle Shed/Calving Boxes
Main shed with lean-to addition. Steel portal frame, concrete blockwork walls, Ventair cladding and fibre cement roof. Concreted floor. 16 cubicles.
Within close proximity to the farm buildings are the two silage pits and draff clamps.
The farm buildings benefit from a private water supply and single phase electricity supply.
FarmlandThe farmland sits within a ring fenced block, with an altitude ranging between 10 – 85 metres above sea level. The farm is a mixture of classes 3(2) and 4(1) according to the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research. Accessibility to the farmland is available from the farm road and a series of internal tracks. All fields benefit from water troughs from a private supply.
Location
SituationSpringbank Farm is situated in the Rhins of Galloway, the most southerly part of Scotland which is renowned for having a mild climate and one of the earliest growing seasons in the country. This region of southwest Scotland is a genuinely rural area, well known for dairy and livestock farming, magnificent countryside and a dramatic coastline.
The farm lies adjacent to the town of Stranraer which is the main centre of population in the west of Galloway and famous for the annual Oyster Festival, held in September. The town offers a range of business services, supermarkets, shops, local community hospital, marina, leisure facilities, primary and secondary schooling and a railway station providing services north to Ayr and Glasgow. Ferry services to Northern Ireland (Larne and Belfast) operate from Cairnryan, only 6 miles north of Stranraer. The nearest international airports are at Prestwick (60 miles) and Glasgow (92 miles). The A75 and A77 trunk roads are accessible from Stranraer and provide easy access to livestock markets at Newton Stewart (26 miles), Ayr (51 miles), Castle Douglas (56 miles) and Carlisle (107 miles).
The farm enjoys a unique position with panoramic views over Stranraer and Loch Ryan, towards Ailsa Craig and Arran beyond. It is within close proximity to the many scenic beaches and coastal walks around the northern Rhins and the popular Stranraer Golf Club is only 2.5 miles northeast of the farm.
For outdoor enthusiasts the area is also a natural base from which to explore the beautiful countryside. The Southern Upland Way (a 212 mile coast to coast route) runs from Portpatrick on the west coast of the Rhins peninsula, to Cockburnspath on the eastern seaboard. Portpatrick itself is a bustling village port, immensely popular with locals and tourists alike having a range of hotels, restaurants, Dunskey Golf Course and further tourist attractions. Highlights of the calendar include the annual Lifeboat Week in summer and the Folk Festival in September.
Further outdoor pursuits including mountain biking are available in the Galloway Forest Park within close proximity to Newton Stewart, which covers a vast and sparsely populated landscape stretching to the north and east and is one of only four national parks in the western world to have official Dark Sky status.
Acreage:
273 Acres
Directions
Directions
From entering Stranraer via the A75, continue straight on following this road as it passes over two mini roundabouts (becoming the B737). After the second mini-roundabout, continue for approximately 1 mile, before turning left on to Springbank Road. Follow this road straight on to access the farm track, which takes you up a hill to the farm steading. The farmhouse access forks off to the left as you reach the top of the hill, between two stone gateposts.
The postcode is DG9 0LD. What3words: Edges.recur.truth
Additional Info
owned but excluded - An additional area of 11.25 hectares (27 acres) is owned but excluded from the sale. These fields have been zoned for development in the Local Development Plan. Full rights of access and to services which benefit these fields will be reserved. The fields may be available by separate negotiation (to the purchaser of Springbank Farm). Further details are available from the selling agents.
General remarks and information - agent's notes
An area of Japanese Knotweed was recently identified adjacent to the woodland at the top of the farm road. A management plan has been agreed and instructed with specialist contractors, further details are available from the selling agents.
Viewing - Strictly by appointment with Savills. Given the potential hazards of a working farm, we request you take care when viewing the property, especially around the farmyard areas.
Entry & possession - Entry with vacant possession by arrangement.
Offers - Offers in Scottish Legal Form are to be submitted to the selling agents, Savills, 28 Castle Street, Dumfries, DG1 1DG. A closing date for offers may be fixed and prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest with the selling agents following inspection.
Solicitors - McDougall McQueen, 103-105 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4EQ Tel: Fixtures & fittings - All fitted carpets in the residential properties are included in the sale. All fixed equipment referred to in the particulars of sale is included in the sale.
Basic payment scheme (bps) - The sale includes approximately 103 Region 1 Basic Payment Entitlements. The payment in relation to the current farming year will be retained by the seller. Copies of the saf form for 2022 are available for inspection from the selling agents.
Less favoured area status scheme (lfass) - The whole farm has lfa status.
Nitrate vulnerable zone - Field 18 sits within the Stranraer Lowlands nvz.
Serviced, council tax & EPC - Springbank Farmhouse, Private water (with uv filtration), mains electricity, septic tank, biomass boiler, central heating, Council Tax E, EPC E. Dairy House, Private water (with uv filtration) mains electricity, septic tank, biomass boiler, central heating, Council Tax C, EPC E.
The 100kW biomass boiler, which provides hot water and central heating to both houses, benefits from an income of around £8,700 per annum from a Renewable Heat Incentive scheme with approximately 17 years to run.
Sporting rights - The sporting rights are in hand.
Mineral & timber rights - In so far as they are owned, the mineral rights are included in the sale. All standing and fallen timber is included in the sale.
Ingoing valuation - The purchaser of the property, in addition to the purchase price, will be obliged to take over and pay for at a valuation to be agreed between two valuers, one acting for each party, or an arbiter appointed by the valuers, or failing agreement as to the appointment by the President, for the time being, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Scottish Branch), the following:
All hay, straw, fodder, roots, silage and farmyard manure and other produce at market value.
All oils, fuel, fertilisers, sprays, chemicals, seeds and sundry at cost.
Note: If the amount of the valuations has not been agreed on the date fixed for completion, then the purchaser shall pay to the seller such a sum as Savills shall certify on account at the valuation pending agreement. Should the payment not be made within seven days then the interest will become payable on outstanding monies at 5% over Bank of Scotland borrowing rate.
Stipulations - Purchase Price
Within 7 days of the conclusion of missives, a non-returnable deposit of 10% of the purchase price shall be paid. The balance of the purchase price will fall due for payment at the date of entry (whether entry is taken or not) with interest accruing thereon at the rate of 5% above Bank of Scotland base rate. No consignation shall be effectual in avoiding such interest.
Disputes - Should any discrepancy arise as to the boundaries or any points arise on the Remarks, Stipulations or Plan or the interpretation of any of them, the question shall be referred to the arbitration of the selling agents whose decision acting as experts, shall be final.
Truth Factor: N/A
