2 Bedroom Plot Sold in Bideford, EX39
| Reference | 35863 |
| Address |
Forest Lakes, Woolsery, EX39 5BS (Map Location) |
| Beds | 2 |
| Baths | 2 |
| Type | Plot |
| Tenure | Freehold |
1 acre plot (approx), south facing views to lake & open countryside, lake & R. Torridge fishing rights, in secluded young woodland - p.p. for 109sqm detached freehold holiday lodge
Description
Within the rolling green hills of the Torridge river valley in north Devon and in close proximity to the spectacular heritage coast, a secluded, peaceful and sunny plot of approximately 1 acre amongst young broadleaf and spruce woodland is newly available. There is planning permission for a very spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached Finnish Lodge (16m x 6.8m, 108.8 sq.m) which would directly overlook the adjoining lake and the uninterrupted countryside views to the south beyond. This is an opportunity to create and project manage a beautiful self build lodge, whilst there is also the opportunity to employ our own established contractor who has built similar lodges if desired.
The planning permission allows for all 12 months of the year holiday use of the lodge, which may either be used solely by the owner or to provide an income as a letting lodge - you choose how you wish to use it.
The approved design for accommodation is extremely generous with a large open plan living and dining space together with a generous, spacious kitchen. Large patio doors lead to a substantial deck area overlooking the lake to the sunny south side and around the west gable side. An area for private parking is also detailed in the planning permission within the plot.
Fishing Rights
An annual ticket for all lodge occupants to fish the fishing lake may be purchased. The owner of the lodge will also enjoy the right to fish free of charge (subject to any Licenses that may be required from the Environment Agency or equivalent body) from the River Torridge on the site. Note: although the Torridge is a famous fly fishing river (miles downstream), this site is located on the upper headwaters of the river where brown trout can still be caught but the river is relatively small here.
Location
The plot is in a prime location at Forest Lakes, a secluded countryside site of approximately 50 acres which is rich in young woodland, flora and fauna. Within Forest Lakes there exist 10 lovely holiday lodges each in their own grounds, and there is now planning permission for a further 14 holiday lodges. Two only of the 14 permissions will be available for sale to private individuals of which this plot is one.
It is quite common to see roe and red deer, hares, young foxes, bats, buzzards, tawny owls, barn owls, ducks, pheasants, many species of garden birds, frogs, toads, rare butterflies and dragon flies.
Forest Lakes is a most peaceful and special location ideal as a real get away and retreat from the pressures of every day life.
Surrounding Forest Lakes are rich woodland copses, farmland and 30 acres of Culm grassland managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Forest Lakes is a short distance from the spectacular north Devon coast, midway between Bideford (The Little White Town), and Bude (the popular north Cornwall town with beaches, great surfing and a lovely canal path).
The nearest village is Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery), 2 miles away with a good village shop & PO; excellent fish & chip shop; church; petrol filling station & mechanical car garage; The Farmers Arms pub which is currently undergoing a superb refurbishment and is due to reopen during late 2017; and a nearby excellent garden centre with local butchers shop, tea room and restaurant. Bradworthy is 4 miles away with a grocery; PO; a wonderful Aladdin’s cave old fashioned shop stocking everything from nails to shoes and furniture; filing station; and a pub. Hartland, about 7 miles has a number of shops; crafts outlets; choice of pubs; tea room; monthly farmers market; spectacular Hartland Quay and Hartland Point. The small village of Welcombe is approximately 5 miles distant with a great pub; hub of arts and crafts makers; and beach/surf at Welcombe Mouth.
Supermarkets are at Bideford 13 miles (Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi) which also offers a large selection of independent retailers, a Pannier Market as well as Atlantic Village a factory shopping outlet; Bude 13 miles (Morrisons, Sainsbury, Co-op, Lidl) also with a selection of independent retailers and excellent restaurants; or the small market town of Holsworthy 13 miles (Waitrose, Co-op). The larger shopping town of Barnstaple is about 22 miles.
Along this local stretch of coast are fabulous sandy beaches including a firm favourite Sandymouth Bay, great surf, stunning sea cliffs, the quaint village of Clovelly with its cobbled street tumbling down to the 13th century harbour, Hartland Quay with its unchanged olde worlde inn and the Shipwreck Museum, Hartland Point and miles of the south west coastal path. There are many excellent country pubs and fine restaurants. Local festivals include the Appledore Book Festival, the Bude Jazz Festival, Bideford Massed Pipes and Drums and Hartland Carnival. The Burton Art Gallery in Bideford has ever changing exhibitions, a great cafe and displays of many talented local artists and crafts people’s work for sale; all around the area are potteries and arts and crafts studios. Local gardens and historic houses include Hartland Abbey, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood, Tapely House and Gardens, and Arlington Court. The Tarka Trail is close by; Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor are all easily accessible; and the Eden Project is a little over an hours drive. The area is ideal for keen walkers, golfers, water sports enthusiasts, sea and coarse fishing or those who simply wish for a truly relaxing get away.
Forest Lakes is about 75 minutes from junction 27 on the M5, or two hours from Bristol by road. The nearest rail station is Barnstaple which is reached on the Tarka Line from Exeter. From Barnstaple, the A39 Atlantic Highway runs south the length of the north Devon coastline and then down into far Cornwall.
Ongoing Annual Site Costs
Each privately owned lodge is subject to a site service charge currently £1,100 (plus VAT) per annum. This rises each year by RPI plus 0.5%. The site service charge covers the maintenance of communal roads, verges/hedges and ditches to the communal drives and the removal of rubbish/recycling.
Water is metered and charged at the same rate as the South West Water rate charged per cubic metre to the site. There is also a small standing charge, the same as charged by SWW for an individual property.
The private sewage treatment plant has to operate 365 days a year irrespective of whether an individual owner is at their lodge (a requirement of rigorous Environment Agency legislation), and therefore there is a fixed cost to each lodge, charged at SWW un-measured annual rate, currently approximately £740.
Council Tax would be payable on the lodge and as yet is not banded but we anticipate band B. Should the lodge be offered for holiday letting, subject to prevailing qualifications, rates rather than council tax would be due and in these circumstances, depending upon owners personal circumstances most would qualify for Small Business Rates Relief (subject to any changes in relief introduced by the Government).
As with any other property, owners will require buildings & contents insurance and a TV licence.
All descriptions and prices detailed anywhere within this property listing are for guidance only and do not form part of any contract. The vendor reserves the right to alter or amend any information, prices or charges at any time.