Winter Journal 2013

Welcome to Armitstead Barnett’s new look newsletter – and welcome to our brand new brand image.

AB has been in existence since the 1800s so we’ve learned to adapt and change with the times, something we hope is reflected in our enhanced brand. We are a multi-disciplinary business working with land and property in the rural and village sector and we believe that our new look strengthens our commitment to this relatively niche market even further.

Over the coming weeks you will notice our new for sale boards as well as our revamped website, all of which allows us to display our commitment to strong traditional values alongside our ability to change with the times. I would be delighted to hear your views and have your feedback on our new brand image so please contact me personally by telephone 01704 895 995 or email david@abarnett.co.uk with your comments.

RESIDENTIAL SALES SUCCESS

As village and rural agents, 2013 has once again been a high-performing year for Armitstead Barnett. Sales were agreed across a wide spectrum of property types ranging from semi detached village homes through to development properties and large detached houses with land.

Our team currently holds residential stock with prices ranging from £100,000 through to in excess of £2,000,000, for properties located in rural locations and villages throughout Lancashire and the North West.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING SELLING?

Our valuers are passionate about their work and would be pleased to visit your home to give you a market appraisal. We pride ourselves in giving you enthusiastic yet realistic advice backed up
by the latest technologies in property marketing. Our marketing tools are second to none, and we design each marketing campaign to suit each property to ensure we achieve the best outcome for the sale of your home.

WREA LODGE, WREA GREEN

5 reception room, 5 bedroom,
5 bathroom home with swimming pool – Central village location

74 RIVINGTON DRIVE, BURSCOUGH

3 bedroom semi detached home – Village location

NOOK FARM, WOODPLUMPTON

6 bedroom residence with leisure facilities set in over 16 acres – Rural location

DAMAS BARN, ABBEYSTEAD

5 bedroom barn conversion
sat in 2.66 acres – Village location

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LAND UPDATE

The last 12 months have been exceptionally busy for Armitstead Barnett’s residential development team representing a variety of clients across a wide array of sites and matters. This year has seen us provide advice across nine local authority areas covering a large proportion of the North West. Below is a snapshot of the types of opportunities advised upon during 2013:

SOUTH RIBBLE COUNCIL

24 acres greenfield site. Planning due to be submitted within early 2014

RESTON CITY COUNCIL

40 acre site negotiated into strategic option agreement for promotion

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Two adjacent sites with promotion now being undertaken by strategic land company

FYLDE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Sale of a small village centre site with planning consent for 11 dwellings successfully negotiated with local developer

BURY COUNCIL

Advice on option agreement with a national developer

PRESTON CITY COUNCIL

Land site area requiring strategic representation
for the period post 2026

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Site for 24 residential properties with early planning submission clauses contained within the negotiated conditional contract. 2013’s activity clearly demonstrates the depth and breadth of our skills and experience with a range of clients and a variety of different land type holdings.

If AB could help you investigate your land options, please contact David Cowburn BSc (Hons) FRICS FAAV for an informal discussion.

SHALE GAS

SERIOUS ISSUE OR LOAD OF HOT AIR?

Some business experts have predicted that Lancashire could become the ‘financial hub’ for shale gas exploration and extraction in the UK and Europe, but how realistic is this statement?

As most of Lancashire must now be aware, there is a vast resource of natural gas underneath us. The issue is whether it can be extracted safely and economically. Privately-owned exploration and production company Cuadrilla started exploration work in Lancashire three years ago and have reputedly invested over £100million in the shale gas project in the UK so far.

Work last year included a 3D survey of the majority of the Fylde and as a result of that research the process of assessing and selecting the best potential exploration and production sites has begun.

It’s very early stages yet, and these potential well sites are a closely guarded secret, but needless to say that we have been involved in detailed discussions on behalf of clients who have been approached already. Contrary to popular opinion, the landowner does not hold the Golden Ticket because the gas and minerals belong to the Crown. The landowner will however receive a commercial rent for the occupation and use of their land.

The actual well site owners are not the only ones to potentially benefit financially from shale gas extraction. Cuadrilla is obliged to install a large number of ground monitoring boreholes within and around the locality of the well site and again we have been instrumental in the discussions about payments and terms of these boreholes.

Everything is still subject to obtaining planning consents from Lancashire County Council, but given the noises coming out of Parliament it would seem likely to happen at some point so our Lancashire landscapes might look a bit different in 10 years’ time. Fylde will not be in the only area in Lancashire to be affected. There is already one well site under construction in the South Preston area and feasibility studies being carried out in other parts such as the Wyre district.

If you require any advice or assistance on shale gas or renewable energy contact Richard Furnival BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV

CAP UPDATE

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is due to be reviewed in 2015 – a review which is likely to have implications for many of our clients.

The Single Payment Scheme will be replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme and although it will be similar in many ways of its predecessor, there will be some significant changes. Key among those changes are the greening elements of the new scheme; increased opportunities for young farmers and new entrants into farming; and criteria regarding compliance to the active farmer test.

We can now confirm the English Entitlement system will be rolled over until 2020 – subject to usage rules and compliance.

For further information on the CAP changes and to find out how you may be affected, contact Emma Lowis BSc (Hons) MRICS on 01995 603180.

FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW…

Armitstead Barnett partner David Cowburn has successfully achieved the designation of FRICS, meaning he is now a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

According to RICS only about 20% of chartered surveyors attain this status so it is an impressive achievement. David Said: “I am delighted to have achieved this significant career accomplishment. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a fantastic organisation and I am exceptionally proud to have gained the designation of Fellow.” David specialises in residential property and residential development projects and can be contacted at either office.

ENTITLEMENT TRADING

If you have any spare entitlements to trade, or wish to purchase entitlements, please contact
us to see how we can help.

EMMA’S EXAM SUCCESS

Congratulations from all at Armitstead Barnett to surveyor Emma Lowis on passing her RICS exams earlier this year. Emma is now a fully qualified chartered surveyor and will be continuing her work with the team at the Garstang Office.

AB STAFF DASH FOR CHARITY CASH

Staff from Armitstead Barnett are taking part in a charity Santa Dash on 7th December 2013 at Lostock Hall in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice, Preston.

Sponsorship great and small would be gratefully received. Watch this space for a full update on our progress. www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ArmitsteadBarnett