Houghton Bank, Heighington, Darlington, County Durham, DL2

4 Bedroom Farm for sale in Darlington

3 4 4

A beautifully presented four bedroom farm house plus a converted barn suitable for a variety of uses, sold with grassland and woodland. Whole site extending to 9.7 Ha (24 Ac).


The Property
Fowler House Farm is an immaculately presented and well equipped farm house, situated in a rural yet convenient location close to major transport links. This substantial property offers four double bedrooms and accommodation is flexible in arrangement, meaning it could be split or annexed if required. Externally the property benefits from adjoining grassland and woodland, with the whole site extending to approximately 9.7 Ha (24 Ac) alongside a good range of outbuildings, including a former barn which lends itself to a number of uses. An ideal small holding or equestrian property.

The main entrance to the property is to the front via a composite door which leads into a vestibule with wooden flooring, a partially glazed farmhouse door leads into the inner hallway. The wooden flooring continues into the inner hall which allows access to all ground floor accommodation and has a further composite door to the rear which leads into a dwarf wall and UPVC porch, ideal for the storage of coats and boots.

To the right of the hallway lies the primary living accommodation, this includes an open plan snug/sitting room which leads into the dining kitchen. The sitting room has two windows facing the front elevation, beams and spotlights to the ceiling and wooden flooring. The room is heated by a multi fuel stove which is recessed into an inglenook with wooden beam mantel and set on a granite hearth.

A stone arch leads from the sitting room and into the open plan kitchen/dining room which is well lit having a dual aspect and French doors to the rear, while there are beams to the ceiling. Fitted with a good range of high quality wall, base and larder units, the base units are topped with dark Australian granite working surfaces which extend into a splash back. The kitchen is well serviced by a central island unit, which offers a breakfast bar for informal dining. The island is topped with the same Australian granite as the working surfaces, which incorporate an electric five ring hob and a one and a half bowl sink with mixer tap and instant hot water tap. Integral appliances include an eye level oven, microwave and a dishwasher, while there is space for an American style fridge freezer. The kitchen floor is tiled, this extends into the dining area, offering ample space for a dining table and chairs alongside an electric range style cooker, with tiled splash back and wooden T fall beam over and the oil boiler.

Returning to the hallway, there is a WC with vanity wash hand basin and a useful utility room. Fitted with a range of larder, wall and base units, providing ample storage, the base units are topped with contrasting working surfaces which include a stainless steel one and a half sink and drainer unit with mixer tap. The walls are tiled to splash back areas, while the wooden flooring continues from the hall and the room is well light by spotlights to the ceiling and a window facing the rear aspect. There are under counter voids and plumbing for a washing machine, a tumble dryer and wine cooler.

The ground floor accommodation extends along the inner hall, to the left hand side lies the fourth bedroom, currently used as a study, ideal for those who work from home. The room faces the front aspect and is lit via spotlights to the ceiling, has wooden flooring and offers a good range of built in book cases and desks.

The third bedroom is a mirror image of the fourth bedroom and also faces the front aspect, a good sized double lit by spotlights to the ceiling and featuring two sets of built in sliding door wardrobes, offering ample storage space.

The third and fourth bedrooms are serviced by a fully tiled shower room which is situated to the rear and comprises of a walk in shower cubicle with mains fed shower, low level WC and wash hand basin set upon a vanity unit.

The ground floor accommodation is completed by the spacious living room. Enjoying views to the front and rear and having a composite door to the side. The room is heated by a multi fuel stove with wooden mantel and granite hearth. The ground floor accommodation is arranged as such that the third, fourth bedrooms, shower room and living room could be annexed if required, subject to all necessary consents.

From the hallway, stairs rise to the first floor accommodation, to the left hand side lies the fully tiled family bathroom. Fitted with a modern white suite which includes a deep, freestanding bath with floor mounted taps, concealed cistern WC, and vanity wash hand basin with shaver point over. The room is lit via spotlights to the ceiling and a window to the rear, and is heated by a chrome towel rail.

The second bedroom benefits from views to the front elevation, enjoying an open aspect and is lit by spotlights and has beams to the ceiling. This well proportioned double room offers storage through two sets of double wardrobes with sliding doors, two of which are mirrored.

The master bedroom is also situated to the front aspect and is well lit by two windows which overlook neighbouring countryside and spotlights to the ceiling. There are beams to the ceiling and this spacious room offers ample storage, having two sets of double built in wardrobes with sliding doors.
The first floor accommodation is completed by the family shower room which is situated to the rear of the property and lit by spotlights to the ceiling. Fully tiled throughout and comprising of walk in double shower cubicle with mains fed rainfall shower over, hand held shower attachment and also body level jet sprays. The counter top wash hand basin offers ample storage below and shaver point over to the wall, there is a low level WC and is heated by a chrome towel rail.

Externally
Fowler House Farm is accessed by double gates to the front, which lead to a spacious driveway providing ample parking for numerous vehicles, ideal for the storage of horse boxes or trailers. Within the area of hardstanding on the driveway there is a useful stone built outbuilding, ideal for storage, which previously benefitted from planning permission, which is now lapsed, for conversion to a single storey dwelling. From here there is also access via a five bar gate to the property's adjoining land which is currently grazed, however would also be suitable for equestrian use. The land is predominantly grassland with some woodland, with the whole site extending to approximately 9.7 Ha (24 Ac).

The property has lawned gardens to the front and rear, to the front there is a wall enclosed garden which is mainly laid to lawn with fruit trees. To the rear there is a private walled garden which is also laid to lawn and offers a variety of flowerbeds and shrubbery. This is turn leads through a pedestrian gate to a larger garden, laid to lawn with a potting shed and a range of wooden and breeze block constructed outbuildings which could be converted into stables, subject to the necessary consents.

Fowler House Barn
Fowler House Farm is completed by a considerable, multi use, stone built, former barn. The barn has been converted to a high standard, having underfloor heating via a ground source heat pump and offering flexible, further accommodation. It would be ideally suited as a studio, or could be used as a detached annexe, subject to consents. Access is via double opening doors into an impressive, double-height vaulted ceiling reception room having solid oak flooring. A mezzanine lies to each end of the barn access via contemporary paddle and spiral staircases. Each mezzanine has good head height and could be used as an occasional bedroom if required. Under one mezzanine is a good sized store room containing the control panels for the heating system.

Returning to the main reception room space an internal window looks into the single storey section of the building which is a continuation of the accommodation and is also laid with oak flooring. This could be altered subject to the necessary consents to provide a separate bedroom or two depending upon configuration. There is an adequate kitchenette which has a range of wall and base units, integral microwave and a stainless steel sink and drainer unit. The accommodation is completed by a well presented shower room which comprises double sized shower cubicle with mains fed shower, low level WC and wash hand basin.

Energy Performance Certificates
Fowler House is EPC rated - D.
Fowler House Barn is EPC rated - C.

Overage Clause
The land with road frontage adjoining the dwelling to the north is subject to a clawback meaning that 25% of the uplift in value will be payable to the vendors over 25 years from the date of sale, and will be triggered by the implementation of, or sale with, planning consent for residential use.

Basic Payment Scheme
The Basic Payment Scheme entitlements for the whole equate to 7.72 Ha Non SDA, which will be included within the sale price and the vendor will make reasonable endeavours to transfer the entitlements to the buyer. George F White reserve the right to charge the purchaser a fee of �300 plus VAT for the transfer. The purchaser will be required to indemnify the vendor against any penalties arising from breach of cross compliance for the remainder of the relevant claim year from completion and /or occupation, should the sale complete after the 15th May 2021. The vendor will retain any BPS claim monies relating to scheme year 2021 if completion takes place after 15th May 2021.

Woodland Grant Scheme
It is understood that the woodland is subject to a woodland grant scheme which runs until 2024. There are no further payments due in relation to the scheme however there is an obligation to maintain the woodland. It is understood that it is still possible to thin the wood out as per forestry management guidelines but if more than 5 cubic meters of wood per quarter is felled, then a felling licence would need to be applied for. Further information regarding this is available from the agent upon request.

Directions
From the A1 at junction 58 head towards Corbridge on the A68 along the dual carriageway and at the subsequent roundabout bear left, remaining on the A68. Proceed up Houghton Bank and as the road levels off the subject property will be found a quarter mile later on the right hand side.

Notes
1. The property benefits from photovoltaic solar panels further information regarding the Feed in Tariff and the income generated is available from the agent upon request.
2. There is a stone well in the front garden which is secured under a man hole cover.
3. The house and barn are on separate electrical supplies.
4. The main house is heated by an oil fired central heating boiler and multi fuel stoves.
5. The barn is heated by underfloor heating which is fed from an air source heat pump. There is a domestic RHI which is received each quarter. Further information available from the agent upon request.
6. The water supply is metered.
7. The property drains to a septic tank situated on land which is owned.
8. There is a public footpath running along the southern boundary of the wooded area and heading south along the hedgerow to neighbouring land.

Houghton Bank lies alongside the A68 between Darlington and West Auckland. The property has excellent access both North and South on the A68 and is under five minutes drive away from junction 58 of the A1M, the major north south trunk road. Durham and Darlington are both accessible in less than half an hour by car and have more in the way of recreational pursuits and professional services. Sedgefield and its renowned racecourse is just a 20 minute drive.

In addition to it being ideally placed for commercial facilities the rural areas of the North Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors together with the east coast are all within two hours travel, providing a wide range of outdoor leisure and rural pursuits.

Property Ref: 628734_BAC100083

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