a12412 bunachton woods layout 1 28/06/2011 14:56 page 1 the ... - amazon...

THE BUNACHTON WOODSBy Farr, Inverness-shire

219.40 Hectares / 542.13 Acres

John Clegg & CoCHARTERED SURVEYORS

An opportunity to acquire four separate commercial woodland properties conveniently located

for timber markets. Two ruined cottages. Within commuting distance of Inverness.

Situated in an area with lovely views. Sporting rights included.

AVAILABLE IN FOUR LOTS OR AS A WHOLE

A12412 Bunachton Woods_Layout 1 28/06/2011 14:56

LOCATIONThe Bunachton Woods are located in a very accessible and beautiful part of Inverness-shire just 10.5miles south of Inverness in an area of outstanding scenic beauty. The villages of Farr and Dores lie4.5 and 5 miles away respectively and Edinburgh 155 miles to the south.

Although close to Inverness, the woodlands are situated in a secluded location with public roadfrontage. To reach the properties please see the enclosed location and sale plans. The properties canalso be found on OS Sheet Number 26, Grid references: NH 653 356, NH 661 356, NH 650 337and NH 622 333.

DESCRIPTION The woodlands were established between 1983 - 1985 with mixed commercial conifer speciesconsisting of Sitka spruce, Scots pine, Lodgepole pine and Larch. Some enrichment planting withmixed broadleaves took place in 1994 to vary the species composition and to add further diversityto the woodlands. Indeed the combination of species, design of the woodland and layout of internalopen space gives each of the woodlands its own unique feature and character, whether investing forfuture timber, sporting or amenity.

LOT 1 - WEST BUNACHTON WOOD 50.18 HECTARES / 123.99 ACRES OFFERS OVER £175,000

ACCESSPart of the northern section of this woodland adjoins the public road providing the opportunity tocreate a new access into the northern half of the property. Alternatively there is a shared access to thesouth over which there is a servitude right of access with maintenance according to user betweenpoints A1 - A2, as shown on the sale plan. This leads to the south eastern corner of the property andthe ruins of a farm cottage, which is included in the sale of this property.

DESCRIPTIONThe woodland was established in 1984 with Sitka spruce, Scots and Lodgepole pine over a stockedarea of 46.3 hectares, which is now exhibiting variable rates of growth. Some areas of spruce wouldbenefit from nutrient enrichment, whilst other areas including the pine could now be considered forthinning. Enrichment planting with mixed broadleaves (1 hectare) took place in 1994, adding somespecies diversity to a wetland area.

A good network of rides and open space (2.88 hectares) has been left through the woodland providingopportunities for deer stalking. Included in the sale of the woodland is a ruined cottage situated inthe south west corner. The ruined cottage has the benefit of far reaching views south to the hills andis within easy commuting distance of Inverness, if planning consent were to be obtained to developthe cottage.

There are also opportunities within the woodland to improve the habitat particularly in the wetlandarea to the north of the ruined cottage, where there is scope to develop a small loch/pond as a feature.

LOT 2 - EAST BUNACHTON WOOD49.74 HECTARES / 122.90 ACRES OFFERS OVER £125,000

ACCESSEast Bunachton adjoins the public road where there are opportunities to create either a new loadingbay or forest access road into the property. There is a right of access along the southern farm trackbetween points A3 - A4, as shown on the sale plan. Maintenance and repair is according to user andthe track is to be reinstated if damage occurs following forestry operations.

DESCRIPTIONThe woodland was planted over two seasons 1983 - 1984 with predominantly Lodgepole pine andto a lesser extent Sitka spruce and Scots pine (46.7 hectares). There is a good ride layout linking witha mosaic of open ground (3.04 hectares), ideal for sporting purposes and indeed providingopportunities for habitat improvement.

The Sitka spruce crop is developing well in the southern half of the woodland where there is also scopeto create a couple of ponds, which would greatly improve the appeal of the property and provide somegood duck flighting opportunities. The northern half of the woodland is established withpredominantly Lodgepole pine where there is scope for some challenging woodland deer stalking.There is a significant volume of timber within the stocked area that is improving year on year andthis could be enhanced with some fertiliser in places. Alternatively, these isolated areas could be leftto mature at a later stage, creating a more uneven age class structure.


LOT 3 - EASTERTOWN WOOD

81.57 HECTARES / 201.55 ACRES

OFFERS OVER £275,000

ACCESS

Access is provided by a short section of track from the public road at point A5 to the gated entrance

of Eastertown Wood, with a servitude right of access. This continues on through Eastertown to point

A6 and is currently only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles.

DESCRIPTION

Eastertown Wood was planted with primarily Sitka spruce, Scots and Lodgepole pine in 1985 over

an area of approximately 61.9 hectares. This was then followed with some further planting in 1994

with a further 9.6 hectares of mixed conifer and a further 2 hectares of mixed broadleaves scattered

around the edge of the conifers to add some species diversity to the woodland. Thinning could now

be considered in some of the compartments adjacent to the main access track that dissects the

property and felling of the spruce in the not too distant future. An interesting network of rides and

unplanted open space has been left throughout the woodland (approximately 8.07 hectares) leaving

natural features such as wetlands and the hilltop of Creag a’ Chlachain exposed, providing stunning

panoramic views of Inverness-shire.

The soils on the slopes are freely drained whereas the north western half of the property could benefit

from some further drainage, which could be combined with the creation of some wetland habitat and

flight ponds.

Included within the woodland is a ruined cottage, situated on the southern edge of the property at

point A6, surrounded by the remains of a large garden with broadleaved trees. Subject to planning

consent, this could be developed and would make an idyllic holiday cottage or permanent dwelling.

Purchasers should be aware there are no nearby services, although alternative forms of renewable

energy could be considered.

The woodland in the eastern half of the property has some very attractive native pine woodland

developing on the upper knolls and slopes which is very appealing and provides excellent deer stalking

opportunities with stunning views.

LOT 4 - WESTERTOWN WOOD

37.91 HECTARES / 93.67 ACRES

OFFERS OVER £125,000

ACCESS

Westertown Wood is situated just south of Loch Ashie, along the southern edge of the public road

between Tordarroch and the junction of the public road between Essich and Ashie Moor. There is

a layby and gated access located approximately midway along the northern boundary, providing an

opportunity to create either a loading bay or a new forest access road into the woodland.

DESCRIPTION

The woodland was planted in 1985 with Sitka spruce, Scots and Lodgepole pine over a stocked area

of 32.5 hectares, now well established and could be considered for thinning very shortly. Some

enrichment planting of mixed broadleaves took place in 1994, over an area of approximately 2

hectares, mainly around the fringes of the existing conifer woodland. The good ride layout and

designed open space throughout the woodland (approximately 3.41 hectares) offers significant

opportunities for some challenging woodland deer stalking. The northern half of the woodland

commands a raised position with attractive views over Loch Ashie to the north.


SPORTING RIGHTSSporting rights are included with all of the woodland properties and are currently let on an annualbasis to a local syndicate until 30 June 2011, when the sporting rights will revert to the individualwoodland properties. The rent for the woodlands as a whole was £1,700 plus VAT. According to thewoodland manager, there is considerable scope to increase the cull in all four properties.

The design and layout of the open ground within the woodlands creates challenging stalkingopportunities with some magnificent views from clearings and hilltops. The presence of low-lyingwetlands also provides opportunities for creating good flight ponds or for generally improving thehabitat. Roe, Sika, and Red deer are present within all the properties.

BOUNDARIESThe woodlands are primarily stock fenced with the exception of a deer fence along the south easternboundary of Lot 3 where this adjoins the hill ground with Creag a’ Chlachain. Maintenance andreplacement is generally shared with the neighbouring proprietors, particularly where the boundariesadjoin livestock holdings.

MINERAL RIGHTSMineral rights are included as reserved by Statue or in terms of the titles.

WAYLEAVES AND THIRD PARTY RIGHTS Lot 1The access track between points A1 - A2 on the sale plan is shared with the proprietors of the farmand Loch Ashie Forest with maintenance according to user.

Lot 2The access track between points A3 - A4 is owned by the neighbouring proprietor for farm access.

Lot 3A private water supply is located within the open clearing to the south of the access track at pointW1 on the sale plan, providing a private water supply to the proprietors of Bunachton who have aservitude right to extract water. This must be left undisturbed and forest operations should notcompromise the flow or quality. There is a public footpath along the existing forest track betweenpoints A5 - A6 to Eastertown and Duntelchaig.

Lot 4There is an overhead electricity transmission line which passes through the woodland from east towest and it is understood that the wayleave payments have been capitalised.

WOODLAND GRANTSThere are no grant schemes in place and no transfer of obligations required. For further informationon current grants please visit the FCS and Scottish Government websites:

• www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland• www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP

VIEWINGViewing is possible at any time during daylight hours so long as potential purchasers are in possessionof a set of these sale particulars. Purchasers who are requiring vehicular access into Lot 3 (four-wheeldrive vehicles only) must contact the selling agents in advance of their visit for the gate combinationcode and are requested to leave all gates as they find them.

DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALPlanning consent will be required to develop the ruined cottages in Lots 1 and 3. Purchasers arerequested to make their own enquiries with the Highland Council planning department to establishthe likelihood of obtaining outline or full planning consent.

FOREST MANAGERJohn McGladeMcGlade Forestry LtdTel: 01463 792812M: 07831 608537

CLOSING DATEIf you are interested in this property and would like us to notify you of a closing date, it is importantthat you notify us in writing of your interest with your full contact details.

TAXATIONAt present, all revenue from timber sales is Income and Corporation Tax free. There is no CapitalGains Tax on growing timber, although there may be a liability on the land. Under the InheritanceTax regime, 100% Business Property Relief should be available on commercial woodlands. VAT ischarged on forestry work and timber sales, although its effect is neutral if managed as a business.Government grants are received tax free with the exception of farm woodland and subsidy payments.

AUTHORITIES

The Forestry Commission

Highland Conservancy

Woodlands

Fodderty Way, Dingwall

Ross-Shire IV15 9XB

Tel: 01349 862144

Fax: 01349 866624

SELLER’S SOLICITORS

Anderson Strathern LLP

1 Rutland Court

Edinburgh EH3 8EY

Tel: 0131 270 7700

Fax: 0131 270 7788

Ref: Alex Brown

The Highland Council

Glenurquhart Road

Inverness

IV3 5NX

Tel: 01349 886606

IMPORTANT NOTICE John Clegg & Co LLP, its members, employees, clients and joint agents give notice that: 1. These particulars (prepared in June 2011) and all statements, areas, measurements, plans, maps, aspects, distances or references to condition form no part of any offer or contract and are only intended to give a fairoverall description of the property for guidance. John Clegg & Co LLP will not be responsible to purchasers, who should rely on their own enquiries into all such matters and seek professional advice prior to purchase. 2. Neither these particulars nor any subsequent communication by John Clegg & Co LLP will be binding on itsclients, whether acted upon or not, unless incorporated within a written document signed by the sellers or on their behalf, satisfying the requirements of section 3 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. 3. The sellers do not make or give, and neither John Clegg & Co LLP nor its members or employees nor any jointagent have any authority to make or give, any representation or warranty in relation to the property. 4. The property (which may be subject to rights of way, servitudes, wayleaves and others) will be sold as per the title deeds, which may differ from these particulars. Photographs may depict only parts of the property, which may nothave remained the same as when photographed. 5. Where reference is made to grant schemes, planning permissions or potential uses, such information is given by John Clegg & Co LLP in good faith, but purchasers should rely on their own enquiries into those matters. 6. Prospective purchasers should be aware of the Wildlife andCountryside Act 1981 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and to the influence and effect they, and any statutory designations, may have on the property. 7. The sellers will not be obliged to accept the highest, or indeed any, offer and may at any time accept an offer or withdraw the property from the market. Neitherthe sellers nor John Clegg & Co LLP will be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties.


a12412 bunachton woods layout 1 28/06/2011 14:56 page 1 the ... - amazon...

Documents