An exceptional premises with a four-bedroom bungalow and 7578 sq ft of usable barns, workshops and equestrian facilities located on a hillside position with distance views set in 8.6 acres

What we Say at The Zoe Napier Group

This is an excellent property with so much scope. It might even be possible to gain planning on one or two of the barns for conversion to residential subject to planning, but our clients are happy for the next owners to do as they please – whether develop or create greater equestrian facilities or even just enjoy the property as it is!

What the Owners Say

The land has been in my family since the 1960s and my uncle built the bungalow back in 1980, which we have since improved and largely extended from 2000 during our ownership. We no longer have dependents and are therefore ready to right-size and move away to enjoy our next chapter of life.

History & Background

An exciting opportunity for a buyer seeking multi-use premises or for the opportunity to run a permissible business from home alongside the equestrian facilities, comprising a beautifully presented four-bedroom detached bungalow, set on a hillside with views across the rolling countryside with the Castle at Castle Hedingham on the horizon, whilst set within 8.6 acres. A separate wide concrete drive leads to the extensive yard areas and wide range of outbuildings of varying conditions. The immediately usable outbuildings extend to 7578 sq ft, providing exceptional workshop areas with storage, a pole barn, and a stable block with storage. There are the former piggery/livestock stalls and a dilapidated brick barn. Each offers the footprint for replacement buildings.

The property has never previously been for sale and since the smallholding with bungalow was first created (circa 1980), our clients always remember the 40 years+ uses as equestrian, a builders storage yard, electrical business storage, and beekeeping on a large scale. The uses should now hold historical rights, with no formal permissions. One or two of the barns might be suitable for future conversion to residential stp which the incoming buyer can take full benefit of any opportunities which may arise in this respect.

The equestrian facilities with extensive grazing provide 8 boxes – Two large horse stables and six pony-size stables. There are further areas to adapt for extra stabling or for use as storage and a groom’s room. Adjacent is a 40 x 20m manege which requires attention.

Setting & Location

Harrow Cross is a small hamlet lying within and approximately 0.75 of a mile from Sible Hedingham High Street. The hamlet is set on a hilltop with surrounding rolling countryside with Hedingham Castle featuring on the horizon. The immediate area offers fabulous dog walking in the surrounding rural vicinity.

The property enjoys extensive road frontage onto open farmland and with views mainly to the northeast. The bungalow has its own private entrance with parking and separate access leading to the rear premises where there are the extensive outbuildings, a yard, and equestrian facilities. All set in 8.6 acres with the grazing set out to three main paddock areas.

There are local schools within Sible Hedingham including Hedingham School for senior and sixth form education (Ofsted rated as Good). The property is also close for the private schools in Gosfield.  The village offers good amenities including a doctor’s surgery, post office, local pubs/eateries, and grocery stores with Halstead Market Town also nearby. Halstead 4.2 miles * Braintree 8.7 miles* Haverhill 13 miles* Chelmsford City 21 miles* Cambridge 32 miles.

Accommodation

The property has been very well maintained and is presented to a high standard with a modern kitchen and bathrooms, as well as having UPVC double glazing and modern radiators. Electrical and boiler certifications are also up to date. The main entrance is from the rear of the property into the utility room area where there is a sink, storage, space for white goods, and the airing cupboard. There is also access to a sizeable loft space and a further cupboard housing the water softener unit. Attractive Oak veneered doors feature throughout and access leads to the inner hall where there are three double bedrooms and a stylish family bathroom. The modern farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room is extensively fitted in Wren units finished with granite work surfaces. Appliances include the attractive brushed chrome Rangemaster Infusion oven and a Bosch integrated dishwasher and full height larder fridge and a separate full height freezer. There is also space for a farmhouse-style breakfast table. Views over hilly farmland are to the fore and there is also a front entrance door into the kitchen. The sitting room is open plan to the garden/dining room, allowing much natural light into both rooms and each having a wonderful outlook. The sitting room features an attractive exposed brick chimney breast housing a traditional log burner. The dining area/garden room has windows to three aspects with doors leading out onto the south-facing terrace. This floor area is tiled. The main bedroom suite is accessed from the sitting room. A sizeable room with views over farmland and benefitting from having a luxury en-suite shower room and separate walk-in dressing room cupboard.

Grounds & Outbuildings

The formal entrance to the property is a gravelled drive with plenty of parking up to a modern storage building. To the rear is Hornbeam screened terrace areas with a southerly aspect, lawns, and a direct outlook to the first paddock. This has been mown to keep neat and houses a traditional Shepherds Hut which can be available, strictly by separate negotiation. A wide, separate concrete access drive leads up to the main gates to the yard and outbuildings. The initial access is by right of access. The extensive yard areas contain several buildings of varying conditions. There are 7578 sq ft of immediately usable storage space, workshop, barn, and stables as well as the former barns with lower ceiling heights (un-measured) as well as a dilapidated brick barn. However, these unusable barns do provide the footprint for replacement buildings. The buildings have stood for 40 years (without initial permissions), albeit are now established. Historically used for farming, as a builders storage yard, and as equestrian facilities. The large workshop is divided into two rooms with storage and there is also a pole barn.

Equestrian Facilities

The Stable block is a corale fence enclosed with gated access. There are 8 stables. 6 are pony size (4 could be altered to become 2 full size if required) and two Full-size boxes for horses. In addition, there is a tack/feed room and large storeroom which has up until recently been used as a comfy groom’s room. Adjacent is a 40 x 20m manege which requires a new membrane and surface, albeit all the infrastructure of drainage and groundworks remains good. The stables have a large security light over the arena. The remaining acreage comprise two further large paddock areas.

Agents Notes

• The Property has two registered title deeds. EX666241 and EX784795
• Our client has completed a Propertymark Questionnaire providing additional information for buyers. We further hold the Electrical and Boiler commissioning report.
• The concrete drive is owned by the neighbouring property with a formal easement (right of access) up to the metal yard gates.
• Historically (since at least 1980/40 + years) the yard and outbuildings have had mixed uses (with no formal permissions) including a builders storage yard, a piggery/smallholding, equestrian facilities, and Beekeeping with honey productions.
• There is a disused private scrap yard nearby which is so well screened, it can only be seen from an aerial view. The fact that the area has a history of mixed uses, might benefit the incoming buyer with their own ideas/plans.

Services

Mains electricity, Mains water, Private Drainage (septic tank). Oil fired heating.  EPC D Council Tax Band E Braintree

PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE FOR A FULL BROCHURE