CASE STUDIES

Bidwells provides professional advice to the Estate, as and when required. The Estate is primarily agricultural, and this part of the business is largely managed in-hand.

The Estate comprises mainly farmland, most of which is earmarked for development. In 2014, the Trustees chose to sell off the farmland which did not have development potential. Of the land retained, planning permission for a mixed-use development, including 240 houses, has already been achieved.

Bidwells was introduced to Will Bevan in 2015 as a succession plan for the impending retirement of Bidwells’ existing client partner in April 2018.

Bidwells has been managing this mixed rural Estate for over 30 years. Totalling approximately 526 hectares (1,300 acres), it comprises in-hand and contract farming operations, residential property portfolio, a solar park (approx. 150 acres) let on a lease for 30 years, a let shooting school, let shooting rights, let horse grazing land and commercial units.

A diverse rural Estate comprising tenanted cottages on ASTs and regulated tenancies, commercial lets, c. 1,500 acres of farmland, of which the majority is contract farmed, with the remainder being let on a mix of Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancies, Farm Business Tenancies and grazing licences, fishing pits, a biomass boiler district heating system and potential housing site.

Bidwells secured planning permission for the residential redevelopment of a former adult community learning centre in the Green Belt. The site forms part of Essex County Council’s estate identified as surplus to requirements through the Housing and Public Sector Land Project. The scheme is for 60 bed Independent Living home for older people and 14 private residential dwellings.

Bidwells was appointed to manage and coordinate the delivery of a new residential home.

Bidwells was instructed as commercial agent to act on behalf of LNT Care Homes in identifying a suitable site in Huntingdon and then negotiate terms for a freehold purchase to build a 66 bed care home.

Bidwells was instructed to act as planning advisor and secure planning permission on behalf of Keystone Developments for a new residential development and retirement community in Lincolnshire.