Two livestock farms with significant natural capital assets are about to hit the market, Sylfaen Farm in northwestern Wales and Ughill Hall Farm in England’s Peak District. The farms are being sold through Carter Jonas, who believe that they will attract substantial amounts of interest from ‘green investors’.
Sylfaen Farm is a 1,338-acre, diversified upland hill farm based just two miles from the seaside town of Barmouth. It offers exceptional views of the Mawddach Estuary and Cader Idris mountain range, and is one of the largest Welsh farms expected to be sold this year. It has an asking price of £4 million.
The farmland is a mixture of improved grassland, permanent pasture, upland fringe and grazing – of which 564 acres is classed as common ground that Sylfaen Farm holds the sole grazing rights to.
The site also boasts a modernised five-bedroom farmhouse and an established holiday cottage business: Coed y Foel Cottage. There is a 34kW hydroelectric scheme on-site, with 13 years remaining on a Feed-in tariff, plus a wide range of outbuildings. Many of which would be suitable for conversion, said Hugh O’Donnell, a partner at Carter Jonas.
“The farm has already added positive new income streams by deploying a renewable energy project and developing a holiday let business,” said Mr O’Donnell. “But, the successful buyer may want to explore opportunities that will further support the farm into the future: carbon offsetting, tree planting and other diversifications related to natural capital could all be explored.”
Ughill Hall Farm is situated just eight miles from the city of Sheffield. The farmland extends to 357.43 acres and is a combination of grassland, woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a former quarry. It is available as one whole lot, marketed at £1.95m, or in six separate lots.
If bought in separate lots, the largest lot available is 219.08 acres, which includes meadow, pasture, rough pasture and woodland; with the potential for significant Natural Capital benefits.
“We expect Ughill Hall Farm to attract a lot of interest from the natural capital and green investor market, as there are many potential opportunities to further enhance the natural capital assets on the property,” said Carter Jonas associate partner Sam Johnson.
Ughill Hall Farm is a well-equipped stock farm which features a semi-detach four-bedroom farmhouse, as well as a range of traditional and modern agricultural buildings.
“While the last stewardship scheme has come to an end, Natural England consider this holding to be an important site for upland breeding waders and are keen to see it sensitively managed. As such, it is likely it will be looked upon favourably for Environmental Land Management Schemes,” Mr Johnson concluded.
