Downsview Caravan Park - HLL Humberts Leisure

Downsview
Caravan Park
BRAMLANDS LANE, WOODMANCOTE
HENFIELD, WEST SUSSEX
An attractive holiday park in an accessible rural location with
4 bedroom house and further development potential

Background and The Opportunity
The current owners purchased Downsview Caravan Park approximately 7
years ago as part of a staged retirement plan and they are now seeking to
sell the property in order to allow them to fully retire. The property offers
a comfortable 4 bedroom house in a prime location and leisure lifestyle
business with an existing robust income stream from pitch fees and ongoing
caravan sales with 5 newly laid twin pitches for further profitable sales of
lodges or caravans. There may be the additional possibility to develop a
further two pitches, subject to planning.
In summary, Downsview Caravan Park is an excellent opportunity, not only
for existing park operators, but for new entrants and lifestyle purchasers.
Location
Downsview Caravan Park is located in a quiet, rural location surrounded
primarily by woodland and open farmland in the heart of the Sussex
countryside with views to the South Downs. The village of Woodmancote
lies approximately half a mile to the north-west on the A281 and the
picturesque small town of Henfield lies approximately 2.5 miles to the
north-west and offers a good selection of day to day facilities including
shops, pubs and restaurants. The larger centres of Brighton and Horsham
lie approximately 9 miles to the south-east and 13 miles to the north
respectively, and offer a comprehensive range of shops and services.
There is a wide range of leisure, sports and tourist activities within easy
reach including the South Downs, a variety of golf courses including Singing
Hills and Devil’s Dyke, horse racing at Brighton, Goodwood, Plumpton and
Hickstead, the attractive Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens at Lower Beeding,
theatres at Brighton, Chichester and Worthing, and a variety of other Day
Visitor Attractions. There are many popular beaches along the Sussex
coastline including the sea front at Brighton. In addition, there are a variety
of country sports including fishing and riding available locally and excellent
facilities for sailing at Brighton Marina, Shoreham and Newhaven.
Downsview Caravan Park is well located for communication links with the
A23 approximately 2 miles to the east providing access to the M23, the
M25 and London beyond; the A27 south coast route offering access to
Chichester to the west and to Lewes and Hastings to the east. Gatwick
International Airport lies approximately 25 miles to the north, accessed via
the A23 and M23, and the ferry terminal at Newhaven lies approximately
21 miles to the south-east with regular services to Le Havre (summer only)
and Dieppe.

Description
Downsview Caravan Park
Downsview Caravan Park is accessed from Bramlands Lane via a
tarmacadam driveway which gives access to a visitors’ car park / arrivals area,
with a gravelled private entrance drive leading to the owner’s / manager’s
house together with a further spur which radiates around the caravan park
giving direct access to the majority of pitches, most of which benefit from
parking bays adjacent to the holiday homes.
The level park extends to about 2.84 acres (1.15 hectares) in total and is
loosely split into two areas. The first has 29 owner-occupied single holiday
units sited, together with one single vacant pitch. In addition, there is a twin
park home unit with 12 month residential consent. There was a second
access from Bramlands Lane which is now disused and hedged but could be
reinstated, if required. Reinstatement of this access could allow a new main
entrance to the park, should a purchaser wish to sell off the house separately
as it is not tied to the park.
Beyond this area and lying to the north of the park is a former camping
area which has recently been redeveloped with 5 vacant twin lodge / static
caravan pitches together with an area of car parking. This site, formerly a
small paddock, is enclosed by post and rail fencing and new tree and shrub
planting to provide screening.
Lying between the visitor car park and the house is a former toilet/shower
block (circa 8.07m x 3.00m) of brick construction under a pitched and
tiled roof with later felt roof extension (circa 3.00m x 2.65m). This facility
is now no longer used and may offer potential for conversion to holiday
accommodation, subject to the necessary consents. Adjoining the toilet/
shower block is a compact laundrette with tiled floor and walls which houses
a washing machine and dryer over, and a separate wc. Adjacent to the block
is a bin storage area, chemical wc disposal point and telephone kiosk with BT
payphone.
The House
Lying to the west of the park is a detached house, of brick elevations under
a pitched and tiled roof. Adjoining the house is a range of garages and
workshops, of brick and block construction under a mono-pitched felt roof.
The house offers spacious, light and comfortable accommodation, with
primarily double glazed uPVC windows, and has been extended over the
years. The property comprises:
Ground Floor
Entrance Conservatory/Reception 5.45m x 4.29m (17’11” x 14’1”) of
hardwood construction with glazed elevations on low level brick plinth under
a box profile roof offering spacious reception area with reception desk and
seating area together with tourist information display and sliding double
glazed doors to:
Breakfast Room 3.95m x 3.56m (13’ x 11’7”) with matching dresser and
floor and wall mounted units, opening into:
Kitchen 3.16m x 2.57m (10’4” x 8’5”) with range of matching Oak fronted
floor and wall mounted units, 1½ bowl sink with drainer and mixer tap,
space for fridge, dishwasher and cooker. Door to:
Utility Room/Conservatory 9.50m x 2.90m (31’1” x 9’6”) with glazed
elevations on low level brick plinth with views and access to the rear garden.
Various fitted storage and shelved cabinets and space and plumbing for
washing machine and tumble drier. Stainless steel sink unit and concealed
cupboard housing a gas fired central heating boiler. Mature Vines. Connecting
door to:
Garage/Workshop 5.63m x 4.81m (18’5” x 15’9”) with power and light,
double panelled doors to enclosed patio area, a door to the Utility Room/
Conservatory and opening into:
Newly extended Garage/Storage building 8.85m x 4.12m (29’ x 13’6”)
plus further area of 5.70m x 4.27m (18’8” x 14’), in an L shape layout
with extensive storage space for garden machinery, workshop benches
and tools etc, concrete fl oor, power and light. External double doors to
an enclosed patio area to the front and to the garden to the rear.
Inner Hall with former front door providing access from the reception area
and stairs to first floor.
Sitting Room 5.31m x 4.85m (17’5” x 15’11”) a spacious and comfortable
room with Sky TV point, double glazed sliding patio doors leading to an
enclosed patio area and archway to:
Dining Room 5.00m x 2.70m (16’4” x 8’10”).
Cloakroom 2.55m x 1.52m (8’4” x 5’) with wc, hand wash basin and airing
cupboard.
Store cupboard 1.47m x 1.07m (4’10” x 3’6”) – a large and useful storage
cupboard with fitted slatted timber shelving.

First Floor
Bedroom 1 4.19m x 3.86m (13’8” x 12’8”) a spacious double bedroom
with eaves storage / walk-in wardrobe.
Bedroom 2 3.81m x 2.86m (12’6” x 9’5”) a double bedroom.
Bedroom 3 4.59m x 2.07m (15’1” x 6’9”) a small double bedroom suitable
for twin beds.
Bedroom 4/Study 3.60m x 2.57m (11’10” x 8’5”) currently used as a study
but would make a good size single bedroom.
Bathroom 3.57m x 2.26m max (11’9” x 7’5” max) with wc, hand wash
basin, shower cubicle with power shower, bath, fully tiled walls and linen
cupboard.
Outside
To the rear of the property there is a private garden which is primarily laid
to lawn and enclosed by a combination of post and rail fencing together with
mature trees and hedgerows. Mature shrub and flowerbeds surround the
lawn and there are two patio areas, one which is large, enclosed and private
and accessed via the sitting room and a second smaller patio to the north of
the house.
Services
We are advised that the following services are available to the property:
Water – there is a metered mains supply to the property.
Electricity – metered mains supply with individual meters to all static pitches.
The occupiers are invoiced by the park owners every 6 months. There is a
current electrical test certificate which was issued in November 2007.
Drainage – a new biological filter tank and overflow discharge was installed
in 2004 having obtained the necessary discharge licence.
Gas – there are 3 no. LPG bulk supply tanks with a gas pipe to each pitch.
Each pitch is metered and the occupiers are invoiced by the park owners
every 6 months.
Telephone – each pitch benefits from a BT telephone point, with usage
being invoiced directly by BT.
TV – Sky Plus is available to each pitch, with usage being invoiced directly by
Sky.
Fire Points – there are a number of fire points around the park together
with 4 no. fire hydrant connections on the site.
Planning and Site Licence
The necessary planning consents (particularly Application No. DC/05/2557)
for the existing use of the property are all in place and the consents permit
39 holiday units with occupation between 1 February – 31 December each
year (although the current owner restricts usage to 7 months per annum).
Consent (Application No. WK/10/99) exists for one specific unit out of
the 39 permitted units to benefit from 12 months’ occupation, subject to a
number of conditions, number 3 of which states that:
‘3. The caravan shall not be occupied between 31 December and 1st February
except for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the adjoining dwelling house or
for staff employed in connection with Downsview Caravan Park.’
The park has a site licence (reference CS/8 dated 12 July 2002) for 39
holiday static caravans. There is potential and consent in place to redevelop
the 5 twin bases to 8 single pitches.
The Business
The business is operated by the current owners who live in the house. The
only additional staff input is from the owner of the park home who has, in
the past, provided limited bookkeeping services.
The pitch fees are reviewed annually in line with inflation and from 1 April
2008 will be at varying levels up to £2,300 per annum for the holiday units
and £2,628 for the park home. The pitch fee income from the occupied
pitches totalled c.£67,000 for the 2007/8 season. Pitch fees are inclusive of
water and drainage charges, rates and VAT.
In addition to the pitch fees, income is derived from commissions from the
sale of caravans (at 15% of the sale price achieved) and the sale of gas and
insurance. Sales average about two new static units and two second hand
units per year which, in an average year yield a net income of about £30,000.
There are currently five empty, developed, twin bases in the field to the
north of the site. These are now ready for either twin static or lodge units
to be placed upon them which will allow a purchaser of the park to not only
benefit from the development profit, but also from additional pitch fees. The
vendors have proposed a pitch fee for these large pitches of £2,750 per
annum per pitch (again to include water, drainage charges, rates and VAT),
which, if achieved, would equate to an additional annual income of £13,750.
In addition, there is currently 1 vacant single pitch within the main area of the
park.
There may also be potential to site an additional two pitches in the majority
of the house’s rear garden, subject to the necessary consents.
For a further insight into Downsview Caravan Park, visit:
www.downsviewpark.co.uk

Tenure and Terms of Sale
The park is owned freehold, subject only to standard 15 year agreements
in respect of 27 of the static caravans. The twin unit park home with
residential consent is owned and occupied by somebody who has, in the
past, provided limited bookkeeping services. The pitch is held on a 15 year
licence from 1 May 2001 with a condition that it cannot be sold without
the park owners’ permission, and if granted, it can only be sold with the
park’s standard 11 month licence including a 7 month usage policy.
It is understood that there are no easements, restrictive covenants or
rights of way which adversely affect the property.
The property is offered for sale freehold as a going concern. Stock will be
purchased at valuation, on completion.
Viewing, Directions and Further
Information
Viewing of the property is strictly by appointment through HLL Humberts
Leisure. To book an appointment contact Paul Barnes BSc (Hons) MRICS,
John Mitchell BSc MRICS or Carolyne Mitchell-Innes on 020 7629 6700.
Prior to making an appointment to inspect the property, it is firmly
recommended that interested parties satisfy themselves with regard to the
particulars of sale set out above and the status of sale in order that they
do not make a wasted journey to the property.
Directions: From Henfield, take the A281 in a south-easterly direction
towards Brighton. Continue along this road for approximately 1.25 miles,
turning right into Bramlands Lane, signed to Shoreham and Small Dole
(A2037) and with a brown tourist sign to Downsview Caravan Park. After
about 200 metres, take the first left hand turn, again into Bramlands Lane.
Continue along the lane, following the road around the sharp left hand
bend and the entrance to Downsview Caravan Park will be found on the
left hand side after about 0.25 miles.
The postcode for the property is BN5 9TG.
A further information pack to include site licence information, copies of
planning consents and correspondence, the park’s operating terms and
regulations, schedule of pitch fees and other information is available on
application to HLL Humberts Leisure.

Important Notice
HLL Humberts Leisure for themselves and for the
vendors of this property for whom they act give
notice that:-
N
HLL Copyright Re HMSO
License No. 100020449
This plan is for identifi cation
purposes only and does not
form part of any contract.
Not to Scale.
1. These particulars are prepared for the guidance only
of prospective purchasers. They are intended to give
a fair and overall description of the property and do
not constitute the whole or any part of an offer or
contract.
2. Any information contained herein (whether in text,
plans or photographs) is given in good faith but
should not be relied upon as being a statement or
representation of fact.
3. Nothing in these particulars shall be deemed to be
a statement that the property is in good condition
or otherwise nor that any services or facilities are in
good working order.
4. It should not be assumed that any contents,
furnishings, furniture or equipment are included in the
sale, nor that the property remains as displayed in the
photographs. No assumption should be made with
regard to parts of the property that have not been
photographed.
5. Any areas, measurements or distances referred to
herein are approximate only.
6. It should not be assumed that the property has
all necessary planning, building regulation or other
consents and these matters must be verifi ed by an
intending purchaser.
7. The information in these particulars is given
without responsibility on the part of the agents
or their clients and neither the agents nor their
employees have any authority to make or give any
representations or warranties whatever in relation to
this property.
8. HLL Humberts Leisure will not be liable, in negligence
or otherwise for any injury or loss arising from the
use of these particulars.
9. These particulars were fi rst produced in March 2008
and the photographs taken in February/March 2008.
12 Bolton Street
London W1J 8BD
Tel: 020 7629 6700
Fax: 020 7409 0475
www.humberts-leisure.com
john.mitchell@humberts-leisure.com
paul.barnes@humberts-leisure.com
Humberts Leisure Ltd.
Registered in England & Wales No. 2567699
VAT No. 761 451 929
Registered Office:
12 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8BD.
info@humberts-leisure.com
www.humberts-leisure.com