Land

An exciting opportunity to purchase 7 acres with a stocked fishing lake, 8000 sq ft outbuildings and with optional commercial planning uses including permissible retail/office uses.

What We Say a The Zoe Napier Group

This is a real gem and an exciting opportunity for any cash buyer/investor with much scope to improve the premises. Prior to the recent permission for offices, planning was approved for a farm/equestrian shop and club house/café for the lake. The location of the site is exceptional for passing trade and accessibility being on the A414 between Chelmsford and Ongar.

What The Owner Says

We had many plans for the site as there is so much potential. However, our business has taken us to live abroad and therefore the site is surplus to requirements now. The incoming purchaser will have great scope to develop the offices or to look at a business plan for a shop and to utilise the fishing lake and club house uses to their best advantage.

History & Background

An exciting leisure and/or commercial opportunity to purchase 6.94 acres which includes a 1.25 acre, well stocked fishing lake with swims, extensive areas of hardstand and parking. The building near the road frontage has recent plans passed for offices and former plans were for the erection of a farm shop/equestrian shop extending to 2459 sq ft. The recent planning EPF/0630/24 allows for the existing retail shop building and the security building to become formal office space, if preferred. Historically, we understand that the shop was related to horticultural sales and long previously, fishing tackle sales.

On the premises is a large 3469 sq ft open barn which had former planning for a club house/café and there is also planning for 6no 70 sq ft fishing huts of which one has been constructed to commence the planning. A substantial double porta cabin unit of 2232 sq ft with planning as a security hut/workshop now has formal permission for the erection of an office building. In all some 8160 sq ft of existing buildings.

The lake is picturesque with around 6 swims including landing pontoons and an island for birdlife. The lake is currently well stocked (stock by goodwill only) and we are told that there might be Carp of up to 60 lbs in the lake.

Due to the nature of the sale (non-residential and vacant with no current business), we invite cash buyers only to view.

Please refer to agents notes for additional details.

Setting & Location

For those looking to run and advertise their business, the premises offers extensive road frontage on Chelmsford Road (A414) at High Ongar, approximately 3.5 miles to the east of Ongar and 8.5 miles to the west of Chelmford City. The location is excellent for passing trade customers and for offices and storage with great accessibility and substantial on-site parking.  The Lake is discretely nestled to the rear of the site where there is also land suitable for a paddock, if required. Beyond the site is scenic open countryside.

The site is accessed via remote controlled gates where a right of access crosses for The Maltings (a neighbouring property) close to the entrance. The main access is wide allowing for larger vehicles with an apron area off the road. On the far side of the lake is a public footpath through to the countryside.

 High Ongar is an affluent commuter belt location, highly accessible via the A414 for the M11 at Harlow, while lying 21 miles to the North of the City. Epping Central Line station is 10.2 miles from the site.  

Agents Notes

• A public foot path runs on the premises from Chelmsford Road on the far side of the lake. This will require fencing to avoid unauthorised fishing.
• Services (water and electric) are currently run from the neighbouring property. These will be disconnected, and the buyer will be required to run their own supplies of water and electricity through the relevant authorities.
• There are TPO on two trees at the front between the land and the road (just inside the fence line)
• A septic tank relates to the w.c. in the security office. We anticipate that the new buyer will need to install their own compliant private drainage systems to suit the future uses they may require.
• Epping Forest District Council planning EPF/0630/24 Full planning permission for change of use of existing retail shop building (formerly part of the horticultural use) to class E (g) (i) office building (previously approved as a security building under ref: EPF/0434/13) (With conditions). Conditions to note if the new planning was exercised to offices are:-  condition 7 – opening hours limited to 08:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 13:00 Saturdays and no openings on Sundays and Bank holidays. Condition 5 – details of electric charging vehicles. Please see all conditions on the portal.
• The Main remote controlled entrance gates are a shared access easement with the neighbouring property for The Maltings and this site.
• The premises have been of private use and therefore are not currently rated for business use.
• The fish stock is unmeasured and can change. Fish stock levels therefore cannot form part of the sale. All/Any fish in the lake will remain by goodwill.