House for sale in Weir Lodge, West Stour, Gillingham, Dorset - 6 bedrooms, 5 reception rooms, 5 bathrooms

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•  floor plan

Georgian style modern lodge with impressive equestrian facilities in a wonderful rural setting positioned on the edge of a popular Dorset village.  In all about 9.24 acres (3.74ha.)

London                  115 miles

A303                       9 miles

Waterloo               127 minutes from Gillingham (4 miles)

Paddington           102 minutes from Castle Cary (15 miles)

Accommodation Summary

Ground Floor:  Entrance hall, reception hall, drawing room, morning room, dining room, kitchen, utility/larder, laundry and bedsit/office.

First Floor:  5 bedrooms, 2 en-suite, games room/offices, family bathroom and dressing room.

Second Floor:  Suite comprising bedroom 6, bathroom, living room, store room and loft room.

Outside:  7 stables with outdoor manege, range of modern buildings, post and rail paddocks, large garden and walled kitchen garden.

Single bank fishing on the River Stour.

FOR SALE AS A WHOLE BY PRIVATE TREATY

DESCRIPTION

Weir Lodge is approached over a tarmacadam drive through brick entrance pillars.  The equestrian and farm buildings are located to the left of the drive that sweeps down to the front of the traditional style, architect designed farmhouse.  The farmhouse offers extensive accommodation over 3 floors with the principle rooms having high ceilings and Georgian style windows overlooking the garden.  Formal reception rooms combine comfortably with a large farmhouse kitchen and practical areas such as the farm office, laundry and larder/utility room.

The property sits in a prominent position overlooking the land and the River Stour with far-reaching views across the Blackmore Vale.  Outside are seven stables housed in two separate stable blocks, a further two large general purpose buildings and an all weather sand school. 

Weir lodge benefits from approximately 290m of single bank coarse fishing on the River Stour. 

The farmhouse sits in a prominent position overlooking the land and the River Stour with far-

SITUATION

Weir Lodge is situated off Church Street in the pretty village of West Stour to the west of the market town of Shaftesbury.  The village of West Stour benefits from a Church, a pub, village hall and local garage with shop and off-licence.  Weir Lodge lies to the north of the Dorset Showground where a number of equine events are held during the Summer.  Local everyday shopping can be found in Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Sherborne, whilst more extensive shopping and leisure facilities are available in Yeovil and the historic cathedral city of Salisbury.  The property has good links with the A303 which offers a direct route to the M3 and London beyond whilst the train station at Gillingham has a fast regular service to Waterloo. 

SPORTING AND RECREATION

Racing is at Wincanton, Salisbury and Bath.  Hunting is with South & West Wilts, Blackmore & Sparkford Vale and Portman hunts.  Premiership rugby is played at Bath and Bristol.  Eighteen hole golf courses are found at Sherborne, Warminster and Tollard Royal.  Excellent riding, cycling and walking are available throughout the area including Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs.  Poole Harbour and Weymouth (2012 Olympic venue) provide superb water sport facilities. 

EDUCATION

The area is renowned for its wealth of excellent schools including Port Regis, St Mary’s, Shaftesbury, Sandroyd, Sherborne and Sherborne School for Girls, Lewiston School for girls, , Clayesmore, Milton Abbey, Bryanston, Bruton School for Girls and Kings Bruton, Sexeys (a state funded boarding school), a good comprehensive school in Gillingham, as well as boys’ and girls’ grammar schools in Salisbury.

OUTSIDE

The south west facing garden has a sunny aspect and is arranged as lawn with a bank of flowerbeds and mature borders.  Above the garden and located to the west of the farmhouse is a walled kitchen garden for the gardening enthusiast.

Outbuildings

Stable block of brick construction under a tiled roof.  Consisting of 4 large internal stables and storage area.  Hard wood stairs lead to the first floor which runs the full length of the stable block giving a useful workshop or storage area. 

Stable block of wooden construction under a felt roof.  Consisting of 3 stables and a hay/straw store.  Behind the stable block is an oval shaped sand school (90ft x 50ft).

Workshop.  Galvanised steel portal building.  Insulated panelled walls with a full height steel roller door and central heating. 

3 bay Dutch barn with lean-to of steel construction under a corrugated roof, used for general storage. 

Land

All the land is permanent pasture and subdivided into manageable sized paddocks with post and rail fencing. 

WEIR – A RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITY

Recent investigations with Dorset County Council have revealed an incredible energy saving opportunity to install a turbine in the weir on the River Stour, which runs through the grounds.  The hydrodynamic screw turbine, which would cost approximately £120,000 to install, would generate enough electricity to run the entire estate.  The energy would produce an estimated gross income of £12,000 per annum, if fed into the National Grid, at a return of 10% on the capital invested.  This income will be linked to future energy prices.  Please call the office for more detailed information. 

THE SINGLE FARM PAYMENT

The farm registered for theSingle Payment Scheme.  The entitlements associated with the land will be made available to the purchaser.  If the purchaser does not wish to purchase the entitlements, the vendors reserve the right to sell the entitlements to third parties. 

PLANNING

There is an occupancy condition imposed on the property:

‘The house shall be occupied by persons who are working at or enjoying the facilities of the proposed stables and cross country course at Church Farm, West Stour, Gillingham, Dorset or a widow or widower of such person and any resident dependents’. 

Further details relating to this condition are available from the Vendor’s agents. 

SERVICES

Mains water, electricity and drainage are connected. 

COUNCIL TAX

For the year 2007/2008 is £1,682.26 (Band E)

AUTHORITIES

Dorset County Council

County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ

Telephone:  01305 251000

North Dorset District Council

Norden, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7LL

Telephone:  01258 454111

DIRECTIONS

From Shaftesbury take the A30 heading west towards Henstridge and Sherborne.  Pass through the village of East Stour.  As you come into West Stour you will pass the Dorset Showground on your right hand side.  Take the next right into the main village before the Ship Inn.  Head through the village and the entrance to Church Farm Estate is on the right.  Go through the entrance, immediately bear round to the left and follow the drive drown to the right. 

Agent’s Notes

Woolley & Wallis, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:

1. They have no authority to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property.

2. These particulars have been prepared in good faith to give an overall view of the property, they do not form any part of an offer or contract, and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.

3.Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate.  The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive.  It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Woolley & Wallis have not tested any services, equipment or facilities.  Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.

4.These particulars were prepared in February, 2008.

VIEWINGS

All viewings should be by prior appointment only and arranged through our Shaftesbury Office:

01747 852242

Minster House, The Commons,

Shaftesbury, Dorset  SP7 8JL

Facsimile:  01747 852752

www.w-w.co.uk

property reference: WWSH999000846