Property News
December 2010 News - Smiths Gore boosts Sustainability team...
Smiths Gore is delighted to announce the appointments of both James Owen and Thomas McMillan to the Sustainability, Renewables and Energy team. James and Thomas join Lucy Morgans who will head the department.
James has been involved in the renewables and energy industry since 2002 and has worked on a variety of projects from residential solar installations to large commercial biomass projects. He is currently working on a number of large scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays projects for clients in the South West, ensuring developers have both the technical and commercial capability to deliver successful projects.
Thomas, who has been working in the industry since 2001, has experience of a variety of small scale hydro projects through to large commercial Anaerobic Digestion schemes. Thomas is currently working on a number of large private wind turbine projects for clients in Scotland, ensuring that private developers have both the technical and commercial capability to deliver successfully.
Lucy Morgans comments: "We are obviously delighted to welcome James and Thomas on board. We will be looking to raise the profile of Sustainability both within Smiths Gore and amongst our existing client base. As the Government demonstrated recently in its Spending Review, climate change and sustainability are high on the political and business agenda and it is crucial that we are able to assist our clients in this area.”
November 2010 News - FORMER B LISTED INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OFFERS WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITY (Issued on behalf of CKD Galbraith)
The former St Colms International College, which was specifically designed as the United Free Church training Institute for the Lady Missionaries, along with the adjoining staff house, offer a plethora of opportunities as they go on sale with leading Scottish property consultants, CKD Galbraith.
Dating back to the early 1900’s and designed by Gordon Lorimer Wright, an architect of great importance of this era, St Colms International College is a remarkable example of an Edwardian Arts and Crafts building, with touches of the Beaux-Arts style.
Originally a college for women missionaries and more recently used for various visiting religious groups, volunteers and students, today this architectural gem offers potential buyers fantastic development opportunities. Subject to consents it would provide an array of single apartments, retained as a small campus college, transformed into student accommodation, or alternatively would lend itself well as a beautiful boutique hotel.
In its current state, St Colms International House comprises a dining hall, commercial kitchen, offices, public rooms, meeting rooms and ample bedroom facilities on two upper floors, as well as boasting a beautiful chapel that comfortably seats 50. An abundance of original period features exist giving St Colms a distinct charm that cannot be replicated. Delightful qualities include timber sash and case windows, mahogany stair with carved lion newel posts and period Arts and Crafts ironmongery throughout.
The detached Staff House – originally two separate dwellings – was built in 1988. It provides a large living and dining room, sitting room, grand office, downstairs toilet and large kitchen, as well as a further four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor. This property is ideal for family living or as auxiliary accommodation for the school building.
The properties are set within approximately an acre of stunning grounds, originally landscaped by Norah Geddes, daughter of Patrick Geddes responsible for laying out the Scottish National Zoological Park, now referred to as Edinburgh Zoo. This style, combined with the stained glass windows presents St Colms as being one of the great examples of the slightly bohemian element of Edinburgh society at that time. Generous off-street parking and a hard tennis court provide added appeal.
Despite its close proximity to Edinburgh City Centre, St Colms provides access to an abundance of outdoor space. Located on desirable Inverleith Terrace, within the Inverleith Conservation Area, these exquisite properties boast views over the Botanic gardens to the front as well as a panoramic view of the magnificent Edinburgh skyline and its famous Castle to the rear.
A wide range of shops, restaurants, and other amenities are within easy reach and close proximity to train and bus links means not only can potential buyers enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer, but also have the rest of the country at their fingertips.
CKD Galbraith invite offers over £2.5million for St Colms International House and seek offers over £700,000 for the detached Staff House, to be sold either with or following the successful sale of St Colms.
October 2010 News - Exclusive Berkshire Estate comes up for sale
The prestigious Heads Farm Estate in Chaddleworth, Berkshire is being launched to the market jointly by Fisher German LLP and Knight Frank LLP. The 700 acre Estate is being divided up into 10 lots, for sale at a total guide price of almost £10 million pounds. A sale of the whole Estate as one lot would be considered if an exceptional price was achieved.
The Estate is owned by horse trainer Charles Egerton who is intending to relocate his horse training business to Lambourn.
Lot 1, Heads Farm House, is a beautifully positioned handsome country house with attractive gardens, fine views, exceptional equestrian facilities, woodland and arable land which in total extends to 157 acres.
Lots 2 to 10 includes a charming period house divided into two cottages, 4 semi detached houses and a bungalow all set in an attractive village location. The Estate also boasts its own village cricket pitch.
The Estate is in the delightful village of Chaddleworth which lies on the southern slopes of the Berkshire Downs amidst some stunning scenery. The location is ideal for easy access to regional centres and has excellent communication links. Chaddleworth itself has an ancient history which can be traced back to the 10th century.
Stuart Flint partner of Fisher German and leading the sale of Heads Farm adds “It is very unusual to come across an estate of such quality where the grounds and buildings are set in such lovely surroundings. The main house stands in a tranquil and commanding position with exceptional and truly unspoiled views.
“This is a perfect opportunity for many, as all the residential properties offer good scope for re development given their exceptional land and location with the possibility of acquiring more land.” Stuart concludes.
Heads Farm is on the market with joint Agents Fisher German LLP and Knight Frank LLP. For further information please contact Stuart Flint on 07501 720422 or email stuart.flint@fishergerman.co.uk
September 2010 News - Higher land prices bring farmers to market - Increasing numbers of farmland and rural property owners are being enticed to the market following rising land prices in the first half of the year, driven by tight supply and increasing demand.
The higher prices have been confirmed by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who have just published its first half 2010 Rural Land Market Survey. It indicates the average value of bare land has risen to over £6,000 in some regions with bare land sales increasing by over 6% in the first half of the year.
With the general trend of supply of farms and estates falling during the first half of 2010 land agents, Fisher German, experienced an increase in the number of high profile estates and quality farms coming to the market compared to the same period last year. Values are increasing due to investors returning to the market and competing with expanding farmers and landowners, providing an incentive for some to sell.
David Powell of Fisher German comments “A recent example we have just launched to the market is the Brecon Estate. This is an excellent agricultural and residential estate on the Welsh borders. It is a superb investment opportunity with a diverse portfolio of let farms and residential property”.
David also adds “As well as an increase of farms and land being publicly marketed, it is the number of private sales which has really increased since last year. We have been involved in the sale and acquisition of a much larger volume of private land sales than in the last two years, with neighbouring landowners or investors being the main purchasers, which has satisfied some of the demand”.
Fisher German's market forecast expects the growth in farmland values experienced in the first half of the year to continue for the remainder of 2010, with demand still continuing to outstrip any increase experienced in supply”.
For further information on the rural property market, please contact David Powell at Fisher German on 01905 453275/07918 677566 or david.powell@fishergerman.co.uk
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