BCM Journal, South Central England Edition 2023

JOURNAL 

2023 

SOUTH CENTRAL EDITION

Providing personal and commercial insurance solutions since 1867. 

Working on a farm by farm basis, no matter the size. 

Contents 

4 OUR TEAM 

5 WELCOME AND BCM INTRODUCTION 

6 RURAL NOTES 

8 MARKET OVERVIEW 

11 LETTINGS 

17 WILDFLOWER TURF 

19 ON RECORD(S) 

23 SMALL PARCELS BIG PRICES 

24 ALRESFORD SHOW 

28 BCM SPONSORSHIP 

29 FARMLAND 

36 COATES AND SEALY 

41 FEATHERSTONE FLOWER COMPANY 

49 COMMERCIAL UPDATE 

53 WIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKING 

54 SKY PARK FARM 

61 NEW OXFORD OFFICE 

66 KILGOUR AND CO 

TALK WITH US 

01256 398500 

Admin@robinsrow.com 

enquiries@robinsrow.com 

Robins Row Ltd, 

Lodge Farm, North Warnborough, 

Hampshire, RG29 1HA 

www.robinsrow.co.uk 

BCM Journal 3

OUR TEAM 

ANDREW BAYS 

BSC (HONS) 

Managing Partner 

Rural Consultancy 

HENRY Mc COWEN BSC 

(HONS) MRICS 

Partner 


ALASTAIR WILSON 

MSC MRICS FAAV 

Partner 


& Agency 

MIKE PAPPS 

FDS (DISTINCTION) 

ACIAT 

Partner, Design & 

Planning 

Welcome 

JAMES ATTRILL 

BSC (HONS) FBIAC 

FAAV 

Partner 


& Agency 

DAVID LONG 

BA (HONS) P&D 

MA RTPI 

Partner 

Design & Planning 

IAIN CURRY 

FRICS FAAV 

Founder Partner 


JAMES FRASER MCIAT 

Partner, Design & 

Planning 

We are delighted to introduce the BCM Journal: a snapshot of our services, success 

stories, properties and case studies together with some of our news and views. We are 

an independent partnership specialising in rural property. Formed in 2001, we are based 

over three offices: Winchester, Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire. 

Our expertise lies in the management, design, development, consultancy, sales, lettings 

and valuation of all types of rural property. We act for a broad range of clients with an 

equally diverse range of property types and sizes. 

Our team of qualified surveyors, designers, planners and valuers can help you buy, 

sell, rent, renovate, plan and build, manage and value your rural property, business, 

farm or estate. 

TOM BISHOP 

BSC (HONS) MRICS 

FAAV 

Associate Partner, Rural 

Consultancy 

THOMAS DAWSON 

A ssocRICS 

Associate Partner, Rural 

Consultancy, Design and 

Planning, Agency 

TOM WOODS 

BSC (HONS) MARLA 

Senior Associate, 

Residential Sales and 

Lettings 

ED PETTIT-MILLS MSC 

MRICS 

Senior Associate, Rural 

Consultancy 

Please do contact us for any rural property advice. 

WINCHESTER 

OXFORD 

ISLE OF WIGHT 

CHRISTOPHER HORN 


FAAV 

Senior Associate 

HANNAH RICKARDS 


FAAV, FALA 

Associate, Rural 

Consultancy 

CHARLOTTE HOWLETT 

BSC (HONS), MSC SPATIAL 

PLANNING, MRTPI 

Chartered Planning Consultant 

LILY WALKER 

BSC (HONS) 

MRICS, FAAV 

Rural Surveyor 

The Old Dairy 

Winchester Hill 

Sutton Scotney 

Winchester 

Hampshire 

SO21 3NZ 

Call: 01962 763 900 

Email: info@bcm.co.uk 

Sunrise Hill Yard 

East Ilsley 

Newbury 

Berkshire 

RG20 7LY 

Call: 01865 817 105 

Email: oxford@bcm.co.uk 

Red Barn 

Cheeks Farm 

Merstone Lane 

Merstone 

Isle of Wight 

PO30 3DE 

Call: 01983 828 800 

Email: iow@bcm.co.uk 

LOUISA WATSON 

SMITH 

Rural Agent 

FIONA NASH 

MARLA 

Lettings Agent 

HARRY PARKINSON 

BA (HONS) MARCH 

RIBA AFFILIATE 

Architectural Assistant 

Part 2 

SARAH ORR 

BSC (HONS) 

Graduate Rural Surveyor 

COVER: Contributed 

JOURNAL DESIGN & EDITING: yoyographics.com 

BCM is a trading name of BCM Bays Curry McCowen LLP a Limited Liability Partnership 

registered in England and Wales No: OC318704. Registered Office: The Old Dairy, 

Winchester Hill, Sutton Scotney, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3NZ, UK 

BCM is also a trading name of BCM (IOW) LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in 

England and Wales No: OC367152. Registered Office: The Old Dairy, Winchester Hill, Sutton 

Scotney, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3NZ, UK 

4 BCM Journal BCM Journal 5

Rural Notes 

Many column inches are being devoted to farming and the rural 

world at present, with issues such as water quality, food security 

and the environment generally all topping the list. In addition, 

Clarkson’s Farm, in its own inimitable way, shines a light on 

the plethora of issues facing farmers and landowners in today’s 

world which can only be a good thing for rural businesses. 

Mr Clarkson’s frustration at the hands of West 

Oxfordshire District Council will resonate 

with many. His eminently sensible rural 

diversification plans have been met with the quicksand 

of local democracy that laughs in the face of wider 

initiatives trying to help grow the rural economy. That is 

not to say all local planning authorities behave like this 

(there are some notable exceptions) but sadly many do. 

The reality of Basic Payment reductions is starting 

to bite. BCM have, for some time now, been advising 

clients on how to mitigate this loss of income and how 

to amend their business strategy to take advantage of 

opportunities now presenting themselves. 

Without a replacement income and significantly rising 

costs, farming is becoming an increasingly risky business. 

The Basic Payment was a safety net that formed a 

substantial part of the rent for FBT’s and landowner 

returns from contract farming agreements. With that 

safety net being removed, many agreements now need 

revisiting. 

The publishing of the Government Environment 

Improvement Plan on 31 January 2023 and further 

confirmation of the future Countryside Stewardship 

Scheme, brought forward new opportunities. Taking 

the place of Local Nature Recovery, Countryside 

Stewardship offers both revenue and capital income 

streams, with payments increased substantially from 

previous years. Countryside Stewardship “plus” is now 

also an option, working together with neighbouring 

farmers to achieve environmental enhancement. 

Furthermore, the Sustainable Farming Incentive offers 

several Standards which may be stacked on top of 

Countryside Stewardship options, such as hedgerow 

and nutrient management. The Farming Investment 

Fund incorporates the new round of The Farming 

Equipment and Technology Fund, allowing for further 

capital payments for items such as livestock weighing 

equipment, GPS equipment and direct drills. 

Coupled with these initiatives is the fast-emerging brave 

new world of natural capital services. This is building 

apace as developers are required to offset nitrates and 

phosphates and deal with biodiversity net gain (BNG) 

as part of planning applications. BNG aims to leave the 

environment at least ten percent better off than before 

a development scheme, via either habitat creation or 

enhancement. These agreements often last for decades 

and therefore long-term implications such as inheritance 

must be carefully considered. 

What is developing is a whole new capital market in 

land, trading its ability to offset and mitigate the harm 

done by new developments and thereby chiming with the 

country’s environmental objectives. Developers seek to 

offset their requirements by getting landowners to agree 

to manage land in new, more environmentally friendly 

ways, often through signing up to Section 106 planning 

agreements and emerging conservation covenants to 

achieve these objectives. With agreements running from 

30 – 120 years, landowners considering entering such 

offset schemes need to be fully aware of what these longterm 

obligations mean for them and their successors, 

especially their income and tax planning. 

To many, these agreements are in effect selling the land. 

The value of the land once it has been entered in to 

one of these schemes is limited and many of the future 

drivers for land value, including possible development 

for alternative uses, increased income from farming or 

sporting and amenity uses, are effectively withdrawn 

from the land in question. 

Some agreements involve capital and ongoing 

management works by the landowner. As always, the 

agreement terms and how they work practically, need 

careful consideration, particularly when looking at longterm 

income streams and the true value they represent. 

BCM have various natural capital schemes set up for 

clients and we are looking at many more. There are 

certainly circumstances where they are very beneficial, 

but we also have clients where schemes are not aligned 

with their key objectives. 

The timing of decisions on such matters is being pushed 

by developers, keen for landowners to take their offer of 

better deals now than those in the future. This brings 

the classic dilemma to the fore of either going with the 

principle of “early bird gets the worm” or “pioneers get 

arrows in their backs”. The real answer must be that each 

opportunity needs full consideration in the knowledge of 

similar deals that are being done and the full impact of 

what these agreements will mean on a case-by-case basis. 

Where there are existing farm tenancies or contract 

farming arrangements in place, these stewardship and 

natural capital income streams need further review and 

discussion. Remove the BPS and some of these existing 

structures may not work at all, so alternative terms need 

to be considered. 

These are challenging but exciting times and there are 

opportunities for all. To make the most of them though, 

landowners need to act now and start reviewing what is 

on offer. 


Market 

Overview 

Market Overview 

With average house prices rising year 

on year, it is good to see a more cautious 

start to 2023 with the market looking 

set to stabilise and both vendors and 

purchasers taking a more measured and 

sensible approach. 

As we reflect on the previous year, it is fair 

to say that 2022 was another exceptional 

year for the country and village house 

market in the South Central Region. 

What was interesting last year was how 

the buying trends seemed to change, 

going from the ‘Escape to the Country’ 

of 2020-2021 to more traditional 

reasons such as access to London, good 

schools and lifestyle opportunities. All 

of which have always underpinned the 

rural market. 

Hampshire 

Written by Tom 

Woods ARLA, Head 

of Sales and Lettings, 

BCM Winchester 

We were privileged to sell a wide variety 

of wonderful properties in 2022. What 

was particularly noticeable was the 

number of buyers willing to cast the 

net further afield to find their perfect 

house. While traditional commuter 

villages remain as competitive as always, 

the dramatic increase in popularity of 

flexible working has meant more buyers 

were prepared to look at properties 

previously deemed too remote. The 

upside of this has meant buyers often 

got more property for their money in 

some of southern England’s most idyllic 

settings. 

The caveat though, as always, is the 

availability of effective broadband 

speeds to allow remote working. While 

rural locations have previously been 

last on the list for superfast fibre rollout, 

this is slowly starting to cover a wider 

area and the increasing popularity of 

satellite systems like Starlink, make most 

properties now more than suitable for 

home working. 

An oversupply of housing is rarely an 

issue in our region and last year was 

no exception. Supply across all price 

brackets and property types continued 

to be challenging, meaning highly 

competitive markets for buyers. This 

certainly tested buyers resolve but those 

who were patient, considerate and 

organised were eventually rewarded. 

Of course, this meant favourable 

circumstances for sellers but let’s not 

forget, sellers are usually trying to buy 

a new house at the same time, so most 

are not immune from the challenges of 

a competitive market. One of the key 

components to the success of all property 

transactions, for both buyer and seller, is 

being organised from the outset. 

The sale process can take time and 

one of the most effective ways we have 

found of helping things move forward is 

the use of a ‘data room’ – a portal for 

buyers and sellers and their respective 

solicitors to access documents from an 

early stage of the sale process. This is 

particularly helpful with more detailed 

or complicated transactions. They 

worked well with our land and farm 

sales last year, where large plans, BPS 

entitlement details and tenancy details 

were all uploaded well in advance of 

launching to the market. Equally, they 

worked brilliantly with our development 

site sales where extensive planning 

documents, drawings, consultants 

reports and of course contracts were all 

uploaded. 

The use of ‘data rooms’ is something 

everyone should consider when selling 

any type of property. It significantly 

speeds up the transaction process and far 

reduces the opportunity for either buyer 

or seller to find reason to change their 

mind as the process moves forward. 

Looking ahead, the cost of living crises 

and increasing mortgage costs have 

slowed the market slightly and while the 

next 12 months will be difficult to predict, 

this part of the world is likely to remain 

competitive with continued demand and 

restricted supply. Going forward, we 

believe sales will be more of a challenge 

and the price growth we have seen in the 

past three years will slow up. As always, 

the ‘Best in Class’ houses that are sensibly 

priced and well presented to the market 

will always be in demand. 

Oxfordshire 

Written by Tom 

Bishop 

BSc (Hons) MRICS 

FAAV, 

Associate Partner, 

BCM Oxford 

The continued growth in the Oxfordshire 

property market has been reflected by 

the exciting growth in BCM Oxford 

itself, with fantastic new office facilities 

close to the A34 and an ever-expanding 

team of high calibre personnel. 

The past 12 months have seen the 

themes from 2021 continuing, including 

restricted supply and strong demand 

for property, land and investment 

opportunities in the rural sector. 

The prime Estate and Farms market 

has seen a considerable boom reaching 

prices similar to those seen at the market 

peak in 2014. These trophy assets have 

also been increasingly snapped up by 

foreign investors who have benefitted 

from recent currency fluctuations and 

the weak pound. 

Whilst the usual benefits such as tax 

incentives still apply to agricultural 

assets, they have been joined by new 

opportunities such as ecosystem services 

and natural capital solutions. We have 

therefore continued to see interest from 

existing investors as new kinds of buyers 

have entered the market. 

The drop in agricultural subsidies 

and lack of clarity of the new 

Environmental Land Management 

Scheme has not seemed to deter buyers 

at this stage. However, the rise in 

interest rates has perhaps curbed some 

expansion plans of farmers wishing to 

purchase neighbouring blocks of land. 

Notwithstanding this, there are still 

considerable numbers of cash buyers 

looking for farmland as an investment 

opportunity. 

Looking beyond 2023, we may see 

smaller, less economically viable holdings 

forced to come to the market once the 

full effect of the reduction in direct 

subsidies is felt. Continued pressure 

from inflation and interest rate rises, as 

well as the direct increase in input costs, 

could all start to create supply in the 

land market as some businesses start to 

feel the impact. Despite the possibility 

of increased supply, we still anticipate 

continued growth in the market, fuelled 

in part by the increased level of interest 

in land from newer kinds of buyer. 

Isle of Wight 

Written by Thomas 

Dawson AssocRICS, 

Associate Partner, 

BCM Isle of Wight. 

BCM’s Isle of Wight office saw a surge 

in market activity in 2022 with strong 

demand from a range of buyers. More 

than 60% were relocating from the 

mainland with a predominance of cash 

funded purchasers. While location 

remained key, the shortage of available 

houses meant buyers widened their 

search to include the Island. 

At the top end of the market, the island 

still represents good value for money for 

mainland buyers. The change in working 

patterns and a recognition of the Island 

lifestyle have strengthened the market 

in the post-covid era. Houses with land 

and/or income earning potential, such 

as holiday lets, remain popular. The 

Photo: Visit Isle of Wight 

Island’s much improved broadband 

services have also helped buyers to 

commit. 

Farm and land have also seen a 

strengthening market into 2023. 

Financial turbulence in the UK’s equity 

markets has pushed some towards this 

‘safe haven’ asset and growing demand 

from environmental investors for land 

has tightened the market further. BCM 

predicts further strength into 2024. 

Development sites of all scales continue 

to sell well but those with well-considered 

planning permissions and discharged 

conditions find the best values. 

Overall, BCM sees the island market 

‘returning to normal’ as we run into 

2023. There is plenty of strength in 

the market for well-presented property 

and no shortage of buyers for the right 

package. 

If you are thinking of selling your 

country home this year and would like 

to know the value of your property or 

require any other advice please do not 

hesitate to contact us. 

Tom Woods – Hampshire 

e twoods@bcm.co.uk t 01962 763900 

Tom Bishop – Oxfordshire 

e tbishop@bcm.co.uk t 01865 817105 

Tom Dawson – Isle of Wight 

e tdawson@bcm.co.uk t 01983 828800 


Lettings 

Suzannah London, 

Jane Atelier, 

Saloni, Temperley, 

Emmy shoes, 

Vivien Sheriff, 

DVF, Cefinn, 

Hayley Menzies, 

Charlotte Sparre 

& many more 

Effortless Style 

for those 

Special Events 

35 West Street, Alresford,Hampshire SO24 9AB 

Telephone: 01962 733277 sales@modarosa.co.uk 

www.modarosa.co.uk 

Our lettings team at BCM specialise in the rental of 

country houses and cottages for our clients, varying 

in price from £800 right up to £10,000 per calendar 

month. Our expertise, combined with our rural consultancy as 

well as our planning and architecture teams, means we are able 

to advise clients on any scenarios they may come across, which, 

in the ever-changing world of property lettings, is invaluable. 

We offer our clients a range of services, from simply marketing 

a property and finding a tenant for them, through to full 

management whereby we manage the property year-round 

including re-letting when tenants vacate, and also dealing 

with ongoing issues including maintenance and repair, rent 

collection and reporting to clients. 

We also carry out other services including management of rural 

residential property portfolios, rural estate dwelling appraisals, 

reviewing the terms of existing farm and estate let cottages and 

advising on strategies to optimise income, review of rents for 

protected and registered tenants and appraisals for individual 

rentals, among other things. 

Along with our planning and architecture team we are able to 

advise on configuration of development projects to optimise 

let-ability and income. We can also look into ways to adapt 

properties to be more energy efficient, an area of great 

importance not only from a legal perspective, but also as tenants 

become more aware of the cost of living and being ‘greener’. 

The rental market in the UK is heavily regulated and legislation 

is constantly changing. This is a key area of our work, keeping 

abreast of legislative changes as they happen and advising our 

clients accordingly with what they may need to do to comply 

with the law and helping them to implement those changes. 

We believe it is vitally important to have an agent that is able to 

give the best advice to clients, not only to maximise the return 

from their rental property, but also to make sure it complies 

with the law and is in the best shape possible for future changes. 


Silvesters 

Farmhouse 

LET 

AGREED 

The Dower 

House 

LET 

AGREED 

LOWER FROYLE, ALTON 

An impressive Jacobean property set in a picturesque and sought-after village. This historical property boasts 

original features, extensive character with substantial and flexible living accommodation. This grade II * listed 

property dates back to the 16th Century and has benefitted from minor restoration in the 17th, 18th and 19th 

centuries further increasing the character of this striking house. 

OWSLEBURY, HAMPSHIRE 

8 Bedrooms. A substantial and idyllic 5,000 sq.ft family home, with the addition of a one 

bedroom annexe, situated in beautiful gardens on the private estate of Longwood. 

12 BCM Journal 


Honeyman's 

Farmhouse 

LET 

AGREED 

South Lynch 

Farm House 

LET 

AGREED 

OWSLEBURY, HAMPSHIRE 

A unique opportunity has arisen to let this Grade II listed detached family house located in a stunning rural setting. 

HURSLEY, HAMPSHIRE 

A beautiful, detached single cottage, situated on a country estate with far reaching rural views. 


Wildflower 

Turf Ltd 

Go Wild 

Meadowscape Pro is a PEAT 

FREE enhanced pre-seeded 

growing medium for professional 

wildflower meadow establishment. 

• Limited site preparation required 

• Exceptional levels of seed germination 

• Easy creation of low maintenance 

biodiverse environment 

Having started out as a traditional cereal 

grower in the 1980s, the Hewetson- 

Brown family began growing grass 

turf, becoming renowned for their high quality 

produce. On the back of this success, in 2003, 

James Hewetson-Brown pioneered the concept 

of Wildflower Turf®, becoming the country’s first 

soilless wildflower turf growing company. 

Such has been the demand in the years since, in 

a time where consideration for environmental 

issues is increasingly important, James and his wife 

Claire have developed the business substantially, 

becoming industry experts and the UK’s leading 

wildflower turf supplier. 

Established and grown in lengths, the mat of 

wildflowers is supplied in rolls for efficient and 

simple installation on site, adhering to their own 

environmental policy to limit any production 

impacts on the wider environment. Being a pioneer 

in the field, James and his team have designed 

agricultural machinery to be able to efficiently lift 

and roll the lengths of turf. James, Claire and their 

team now provide Meadowscape Pro (a soil-free 

wildflower growing medium) and wildflower seed, 

along with supplying a wide range of companies, 

hospitals and private clients with bespoke mixes, 

to suit site-specific requirements. 

The company advises clients on the design and 

composition of species in bespoke mixes, providing 

instant impact solutions that promote biodiversity, 

providing critical solutions on a case by case 

basis. With initiatives such as Biodiversity Net 

Gain and the Green Infrastructure Framework at 

the forefront of planning legislation, Wildflower 

Turf Ltd also offers various training courses to 

educate others on best practice for establishing 

and maintaining successful species-rich wildflower 

meadows. 

With very specific requirements needed to expand 

production capabilities, in 2021 BCM were tasked 

with advising on the purchase of a new site. 

Following the successful acquisition of Forge Farm 

in Shropshire in early 2022, the production now 

extends across three different sites around the UK, 

Wildflower Turf Ltd are going from strength to 

strength. 

A fabulous and tenacious example of innovation 

and diversification in farming, BCM are delighted 

to assist James and Claire Hewetson Brown on 

property issues relating to both their traditional 

arable farming enterprise and for Wildflower Turf 

Ltd. 

Should you wish to learn more about Wildflower 

Turf Ltd, or need advice with a site project, 

please visit www.wilflowerturf.co.uk for more 

information. 

Tel: 01256 771222 Email: wildflower@wildflowerturf.co.uk 

@wildfl owerturf 

www.linkedin.com/company/wildfl ower-turf-ltd 

www.facebook.com/wildfl owerturf1 

16 BCM Journal

SOLD 

Norn’s Copse 

BROWN CANDOVER, ALRESFORD 

An attractive block of woodland located in the Candover valley of predominantly 

mixed species deciduous trees extending to approximately 67.95 acres (27.50 hectares). 

On Record(s) 

Rainfall data and thoughts by Ed Pettit-Mills 


It has been the wettest/ 

driest/hottest year on record, 

again, and we (or is it just I?) 

remain constantly fascinated by our 

weather. One of the many privileges 

of farming and land ownership is the 

connection to the past and the historical 

records, both written and spoken, 

that this affords the landowner with 

stories and records (data in the modern 

parlance) being passed from generation 

to generation. Many of our managed 

farms and estates have a treasure trove of 

data going back multiple generations and 

I recently had my interests satisfied by a 

bank of daily rainfall data going back 88 

years in Bishops Sutton (near Alresford). 

This almost endless stream (almost a 

downpour) of fascinating facts produced 

by this set of records will no doubt 

amaze guests and friends into the early 

hours and hopefully I can enthral the 

reader with some edited highlights; and 

hopefully instil an interest in data and 

information that is vital for short term 

decision making and equally fascinating 

in the long term. 

An Average Year 

My automatic reaction to this Aladdin’s 

cave of numbers was to look for the 

outliers and then to assess if these 

corresponded with recent memory or the 

folk law of years gone by. 

But to make sense of it all, it obviously 

helps to be able to know the “average” 

year – of which there are remarkably 

few of course! It seems that this little 

part of Hampshire got approximately 

33.5 inches (851mm) of annual rain over 

the last 88 years. This compares with 

the Met Office's average of 31.7 inches 

(806mm) for South East England. 

Wettest Year 

Being no longer young nor experienced 

enough to be considered middle aged, 

my own memories struggled to look 

beyond 2012 (45.11 inches / 1,146mm) 

but perhaps slightly surprisingly 2014 

producing a Noah challenging 52.67 

inches / 1,338mm (the most in 88 years). 

A vague memory of drowning at boarding 

school in the late 90’s/early 2000s draws 

my attention along the spreadsheet and 

low and behold 2000 (49.93 inches / 

1,268mm) does prove to be another very 

soggy one. 

1951 (48.30 inches / 1,227mm) must 

have been damp but it is interesting that 

4 of the 5 wettest years have been since 

the turn of the millennium. 

Driest Year 

1976 of course, look no further……. Or is 

it? My Uncle previously wrote articles on 

the weather for the Hampshire Chronicle 

and has proudly told me in the past that 

1976 was in fact an average rainfall year. 

He is of course (as always) proved correct 

by the data with 30.47 inches / 774mm 

(only 3 inches below the current average 

– it was dryer then) falling (admittedly 

mostly in the final quarter of the year). 

The driest year was in fact in 1973 with 

an arid 23.97 inches (609mm) followed 

closely by 1938 (despite the gathering 

storm clouds of war) with 25.04 inches 

(636mm). 

So What About 2022? 

Only 20.65 inches (525mm) had fallen 

by the end of October but despite 

this and a lengthy hosepipe ban, 2022 

provided to be another “average” year, 

with 33.83 inches (859mm) falling. This 

demonstrated that, even in a changing 

climate and what felt like a dry year, the 

rainfall does seem to catch up*. 

Changing climate 

Obviously rainfall is only part of the 

climate picture and its rapidly changing 

nature is a matter of huge concern. 

It is interesting how the Bishops 

Sutton records do corroborate this 

by demonstrating a greater variation 

from the average over the last 20 years. 

However, hopefully these records have 

interested you in some small way and so 

let us all salute our forebears and thank 

the current record keepers that enable us 

to go on these data-based flights of fancy 

as well as making vital decisions day to 

day. 

*no long-range forecasts or climate 

models have been consulted in the 

production of this ill-informed opinion. 

epettitmills@bcm.co.uk 


Manor Farmhouse 

SOLD 

DUMMER, HAMPSHIRE 

A beautiful, Grade II listed 4-bedroom farmhouse with separate1-bedroom annexe with a stunning 

walled garden, paddocks, outbuildings and located within a popular village. In all about 1.6 acres. 


Would you 

recommend 

your wealth 

manager? 

Our clients do 

We asked our clients whether they were willing 

and likely to recommend us. Overwhelmingly, 

they said yes.¹ 

Contact us to see how a personalised approach 

to wealth management can help you. 

01962 418 182 

Follow us on: 

info@jmfinn.com 

www.jmfinn.com 

¹ An independent survey of 1,653 

discretionary clients conducted 

in 2021 resulted in a Net 

Promoter Score (NPS) of 71%. 

The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well 

as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. 

Small Parcels, 

Big Prices. 

We have had a busy year selling some of the most beautiful little corners of the Isle of 

Wight and Hampshire. From paddocks and parcels with amenity and equestrian use 

to tranquil pastures for offsetting. 

What is a Small Parcel? 

When we look back across 

our sales book over the last 

12 months there is huge variety in our 

small parcel sales. From 0.5 acre garden 

extensions to 15 acres of pasture with 

ponds and copses. It is impossible to 

strictly define what we mean by small 

parcels but somewhat like an elephant 

(albeit not in size)we feel you know one 

when you see one. 

Trends 

Whilst pinning a firm definition on a 

paddock is difficult, one consistency we 

have noticed over the last 12-24 months 

is a significant hardening in values, 

by as much as 25% in many cases and 

with prices achieving above their guides 

most of the time where the fields are 

located on the edge of the most soughtafter 

villages – without any planning 

advantage. 

The Traditional Market 

The traditional buyers of small parcels 

of land tend to be local or adjoining 

owners wanting more space to increase 

the amenity of their existing property 

and/or those of an equestrian bent 

wanting to keep a horse or two closer to 

home. Whilst these remain the core of 

the market we have seen some interesting 

new types of buyers emerge. 

Dog Owners, Glampers and 

Offsetters 

As we know, Covid lockdowns saw an 

increase in dog ownership and perhaps 

surprisingly, this has led to strong demand 

from dog owners wanting somewhere to 

exercise their beloved hound. 

In addition to these, we are seeing 

increasing interest from people with 

strong environmental and conservation 

instincts. These could be individuals 

looking to improve the biodiversity of a 

parcel of land for their own satisfaction 

or businesses looking to offset carbon, 

nitrogen or biodiversity harm caused 

elsewhere. 

Finally, whilst the glamping industry has 

started to slow down and people head 

abroad for their holidays again, buyers 

are still looking for smaller parcels of 

land. They either wish to run a small 

glamping business or just own a piece 

of land in a quiet and peaceful corner 

that they can enjoy with their friends 

and family. Interestingly for these 

buyers, it doesn’t need to be just down 

the road from home. 

These new parties have combined with 

our traditional buyers and this has led 

to a significant increase in enquiries 

into small parcels of land whenever and 

wherever we have launched them. 

They don't make it anymore! 

The perfect paddock will of course 

appeal to all, being on the edge of a 

village, well fenced and with water, whilst 

also having some environmental interest 

or potential. Even if your paddock 

only ticks some of these boxes (which 

it inevitably will) we remain confident 

that the market for small parcels is as 

strong as ever with competition coming 

from an increasingly diverse range of 

buyers and scarcity inevitably driving 

up prices. 

JM Finn is a trading name of J.M. Finn & Co. Ltd which is registered in England with number 05772581. 

Registered address: 25 Copthall Avenue, London, EC2R 7AH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 


Alresford Show 

The Alresford Show has been 

a fixture of the Hampshire 

farming communities’ calendar 

since the first show in 1909, with an 

enviable reputation as one of the finest 

agricultural shows of its size in the 

country. Organised and operated by 

the Alresford and District Agricultural 

Society (established in 1908) the show is 

run entirely by volunteers and the profits 

are donated to local charities and good 

causes. 

The show demonstrates all the best 

aspects of life in the countryside - 

livestock, local artisan food and drink, 

country crafts and pursuits and of course 

the Grand Parade, with the overriding 

intention to educate people in the local 

area about farming and where their food 

comes from. 

Having been slightly nomadic in its 

early years, moving from site to site in 

and around Alresford, in 1960 the show 

finally put down some firm foundations 

in the beautiful Tichborne Park, where 

biblical events (plague / weather) not 

withstanding, it has been held annually 

ever since. 

2022 was blessed with fine weather 

and supported by a record attendance, 

demonstrating that despite a rapidly 

changing world there is still a huge desire 

to understand more about agriculture. 

Connection with BCM 

BCM have always believed that 

supporting the show is fundamentally 

important. The show being one of the 

very few opportunities the agricultural 

sector has to connect directly with the 

general public. Demonstrating what 

we do, how we do it and showcasing 

that Hampshire has some of the most 

interesting and innovative businesses 

operating in the rural sector. BCM, 

together with the inextricably linked 

forerunning business of James Harris, 

have been ever present at the show since 

the inaugural event in 1909. We have 

seen it develop from its early years to 

the wonderful event we all enjoy today 

and will continue to support it into the 

future. We are also hugely supportive of 

their good works with the Society giving 

£30,000 to local charities in 2022. 

BCM’s Stand 

BCM has worked hard over the years 

to make everyone feel comfortable and 

welcome on our stand. It is the perfect 

opportunity to say thank you to our 

clients and friends for supporting us over 

the previous year. That can be in the 

form of pouring a well-earned drink for 

a farmer who has (hopefully!) finished the 

harvest or offering some much-needed 

sustenance to footsore show goers or 

providing a safe space for those returning 

from a summer in Ibiza in need of a 

relaxed party vibe. 

Livestock Lines 

As well as our main stand BCM has 

always supported the livestock lines and 

it is there that you will likely find Henry 

McCowen MC’ing like the Notorious 

BIG, providing expert commentary 

and assisting with the prize-giving. The 

livestock lines have always felt the purest 

agricultural element of the show and it 

is hugely appreciated that the exhibitors 

continue to attend in such numbers and 

with such high quality animals. BCM 

recognise the huge commitment made 

by the livestock exhibitors and are also 

pleased to sponsor the “Stockman’s 

Breakfast” which ensures they receive a 

good start to a busy day on us. 

Future 

The show goes from strength to strength 

and as a new generation move into 

the area and attend the show we will 

continue to help the Society inform, 

educate and entertain with the best of 

what agriculture and the area has to offer. 

Whilst the show is steeped in history 

and tradition it continues to evolve and 

showcase the best of Hampshire and its 

agricultural heritage. 


Vann Farm 

SOLD 

SELBOURNE, HAMPSHIRE 

Idyllic rural location. Farmhouse with fantastic potential. Agricultural buildings 

suitable for alternative uses (STP). Pasture & woodland. 37 acres. 



Sponsorship and 

Charity Events 

Farmland 

The market appears to remain robust, despite rising costs. 

2022 was a year of extraordinary inflation – from 

rising electricity and food costs to the size of the 

whoppers told in parliament and the runs chased 

by the England cricket team in the 4th innings of a 

Test. The numbers grew almost daily, and the price of 

farmland was no exception to this inflation. We would 

like to share some of our successes through the year and 

consider where the market might be headed as we look 

forward to 2023 and beyond. 

Players in the Market 

Traditionally the farmland market has been dominated 

by three broad types of purchases – farmers, investors 

and lifestyle buyers. All three have competed with 

one another historically and depending on economic 

conditions and individual circumstances, one or other 

has enjoyed the upper hand. Recently all three buyers 

have been bullish for separate reasons, but they have now 

been joined by a new type of buyer – the natural capital 

“off-setter”. These buyers vary from Corporations 

seeking net zero nirvana to keen eyed developers trying 

to navigate an ever-increasing number of obstacles in 

the planning process. These factors have combined to 

fight against some strong macroeconomic headwinds to 

ensure farmland prices have kept pace with, and often 

exceeded, inflation, especially in Hampshire and the 

wider south-eastern region. 

2022 Sales 

At the end of 2021 BCM were instructed to sell two 

farms, whilst not unusual itself, it was unusual they 

happened to be two neighbouring farms being sold 

by different people and for different reasons. Located 

near Bentworth, Hall Farm (275 acres) and Wivelrod 

Farm (144 acres) were offered independently of each 

other and with the option of a single purchase. After 

considerable interest, both farms went to a single buyer 

who has subsequently created a good-sized commercial 

holding. Offering farms in this way required careful 

handling with both vendors being represented by two 

different partners and being kept fully appraised at all 

stages to ensure the best result. 

Spring 2022 saw BCM being instructed to sell Ludmore 

Farm (278 acres) on behalf of receivers, thankfully 

a rare occurrence in the rural sector. After an intense 

marketing period with the farm being offered in eight 

lots, the sale was concluded by an online auction. The 

auction attracted huge interest with 45 approved bidders 

and a total of 427 bids being placed! All the lots were 

sold either at, or in excess of, the guide price. 

Current Instructions 

Following on from those successes, we now have 

two fabulous new blocks of land available. The first 

comprises 160 acres at Fontmell Parva in Dorset. Being 

partially Grade 1 and 2 land and subject to a 10-year 

FBT, this represents a very rare opportunity to purchase 

an extremely productive investment. 

In addition, we have just launched Elm Farm, a 350 acre 

block of bare land on the Isle of Wight. With some 

of the land having recently grown high value vegetable 

crops, its proximity to water catchments with high nitrate 

levels and the potential for developing new agricultural 

buildings (STPP) it represents a clear opportunity for 

farmer, investor and natural capital buyer alike, and will 

no doubt attract interest from across the country. 

BCM are proud to sponsor a 

variety of charity events around 

Hampshire and the surrounding 

counties. 

Our recent sponsorship highlights 

include the Land Rover Run which 

raised an impressive £18,200 for 

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air 

Ambulance, the successful Hampshire 

Medical Fund’s Classic Car Rally and 

the Test Valley Charity Clay shoot 

which raises funds for Cancer Research 

and other local charities. 

We also support The Alresford Show, 

The Romsey Show, the Lobster Shoot, 

the Bighton, East Stratton and Wonston 

village fetes, Fareham and Hampshire 

Farmer’s Club Farm Walk along with 

Basingstoke & District Agricultural 

Society and Winchester Growmore 

Club annual ploughing matches. 

The BCM sponsored Easton Women’s 

10 Cricket Club team hold the County 

Championship trophy and are hoping 

to successfully defend it in 2023. 

We are always proud to be sponsorship 

contributors, but the real heroes are the 

teams of organisers, volunteers and coordinators 

who work so hard to arrange 

all the events in the first instance. 

If you feel that BCM could assist your 

charity event, please get in touch with 

our partnership manager, Mel Taylor: 

mtaylor@bcm.co.uk 


Land at Wivelrod 

SOLD 

WIVELROD, HAMPSHIRE 

Productive arable farm outside the South Downs National Park, extending to 143.84 acres between the beautiful 

Hampshire villages of Medstead and Beech. Bare land for sale as a whole or in three lots. Potential for delivering 

environmental benefits. 



Land at South Morton 

SOLD 

SOUTH MORTON, OXFORDSHIRE 

A block of productive commercial farmland in South Oxfordshire. 616.59 acres (249.52 hectares). 

Freehold with vacant possession granted in September 2022 



Land at Hall Farm 

SOLD 

BENTWORTH, HAMPSHIRE 

An arable farm situated in the glorious Hampshire countryside,just outside the South Downs National Park. The farm 

includes Grade 3 arable land, a small area of pasture, ancient woodland and modern grain storage facilities along with a 

small family shoot. 270 acres. Available as a whole or in lots. 



Coates and Seely 

In 2008 two old friends, Nicholas Coates and Christian Seely, embarked on a quest to make a sparkling wine to rival the best in the world. 

They were drawn to the ancient 

downlands of Hampshire where 

the chalk soils and south-facing 

slopes presented the perfect terroir. 

A mile to the south of the Hampshire 

vineyards, the clear chalk stream of 

the River Test flows along the valley 

floor, passing through the historic 

paper-making villages of Overton and 

Whitchurch. Three miles to the north 

lies the high chalk ridge of Watership 

Down, one of the highest points in 

Hampshire, that iron-age man first used 

as a vantage point. 

They planted vines and began their 

craft to make their sparkling wines 

which are now listed in royal palaces, 

Michelin-starred restaurants and iconic 

houses around the world. Gold medals 

and trophies have been achieved in 

leading national and international wine 

competitions. 

In 2019 their 2009 Blanc de Blancs ‘La 

Perfide’ won the International IWSC 

Trophy for Best Bottle Fermented 

Sparkling Wine and they are still the only 

English wine to be listed at the George V 

hotel in Paris. 

They restrict productive capacity and 

focus on quality using traditional winemaking 

craftsmanship with the latest 

technology such as the only concrete 

fermentation eggs in England. 

They also employ the skills of French 

craftsmen who make wines of distinction, 

that are properly and fully aged, both on 

lees and on cork, using rigorous fruit 

selection. 

Their non-vintage wines make extensive 

use of reserve wines from previous 

years and are lees-aged for between 24 

and 36 months. This gives them depth 

and complexity. 

The vintage wines – ‘La Perfide’ – are 

made from grapes from a single year 

and are lees-aged for a minimum of 

4-5 years, with further bottle-ageing, 

on cork, post-disgorgement. Vintages 

are only made in years when the fruits 

are exceptional, and for this reason they 

have only made vintage wines in 6 of 

their 13 harvests to date. 

www.coatesandseely.com 

instagram.com/coatesandseely 

Photos: contributed 



CRAFTING THE ART OF 

BUSINESS RETREATS 

IN THE HEART OF HAMPSHIRE 

Workshop space that’s big enough for 40 and 

robust enough to do what you want 

Comfortable breakout rooms that get you talking 

about what really maaers 

20 bedrooms with the ability to accommodate more 

nearby 

Food you can look forward to that keeps your mind 

and body in shape 

A team to help create your experience 

Visible and invisible service to suit 

Walking and running routes with optional guide 

Award-winning winery and vineyard for tours and 

tastings 

Egbury 

Farmhouse 

ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE 

An attractive Grade II listed 5 bedroom farmhouse with an additional one bedroom cottage, set in a 

peaceful, rural location in its own land. 3 acres. 

SOLD 

Talk to us about your next business retreat 

stay@thegrangehampshire.co.uk | 01962 779 668 


Featherstone’s 

English Flower Co. 

Right Plant, Right Place 

Flower Farm & Florist 

Featherstone’s English Flower Co. is a sustainable flower farm and 

florist, growing a wonderful range of seasonal British flowers and 

foliage on a three acre site in the rolling Hampshire hills, using 

environmentally friendly farming practices. 

A breath-taking fifteenth century tithe barn is the backdrop for 

our full floristry service, events and workshops. We use 

natural,compostable and reusable methods to create beautiful 

arrangements with an organic style. 

www.featherstoneflowers.co.uk 

@featherstoneflowers 

info@featherstoneflowers.co.uk 

Bouquets | Events | Weddings | Funerals | Pick Your Own | Workshops | Flower Club | Subscriptions | Buckets of Blooms 

FEATHERSTONE’S ENGLISH FLOWER CO. 

BCM are fortunate to manage the beautiful Nine Mile Water Farm near Stockbridge in Hampshire. 

A 

stunning fifteenth century barn on one of the 

farmsteads captured our imagination when first 

shown the Estate and we made it our mission to 

find a suitable use for the building. 

Given the Grade I listing and agricultural use of 

the barn, some alternative thinking was required. When 

Jess Roberts and Katie Stone got in touch, looking 

for premises to start their own sustainable flower farm, 

it was a perfect match. The Tithe Barn and part of 

an arable field at Berry Court Farm have been 

transformed into a thriving flower farm with 3 acres of 

bulbs, annuals, perennials and shrubs laid out in nearly 

3.5km of flower beds. 

The 15th Century Barn is a beautiful example of a 

tithe barn with flint walls and incredible high ceilings 

and tiles that local historians say were ordered in 1460. 

Using the building for a flower farm has allowed a 

previously underutilised building to be brought to life 

as part of a farming enterprise, albeit a slightly different 

kind of agriculture from the traditional storing of rents 

and tithes - one tenth of the farms produce was required 

to be given to the local church - the original purpose of 

the barn. 

Using the 28-day planning rule, Jess and Katie run 

workshops, a Christmas Market and the Featherstone’s 

Flower Club, allowing the public access to the stunning 

location and to benefit from their incredible knowledge 

of sustainable growing techniques and floriculture. 

Featherstone’s English Flower Co. have recently 

celebrated their one-year anniversary at Berry Court 

Farm and go from strength to strength. Using their 

combined expertise, farmer Jess, and florist Katie, supply 

a range of local hotels, businesses and private clients 

with stunning floral displays used for many purposes 

including weddings across Hampshire and beyond. 

They pride themselves in using natural, compostable or 

reusable floristry techniques to create imaginative and 

beautiful arrangements. 

For more information on Featherstone’s English Flower 

Co. or to sign up for one of their events please visit - 

www.featherstoneflowers.co.uk. 

40 BCM Journal 41 BCM Journal

£3,850,000 

Gosport Farm 

FOR 

SALE 

AMPFIELD, ROMSEY, HAMPSHIRE 

An attractive Grade II listed, Queen Anne farmhouse with an excellent courtyard of traditional and modern 

farm buildings, being offered to the market for the first time since 1931. Lot 1 – 19.44 acres, Lot 2 – 113 

acres. In all about 132.44 acres. EPC rating F, Council tax band H 

Lot 1 – 19.44 acres Lot 2 – 113 acres. In all about 

132.44 acres. EPC rating F, Council tax band H 


Moth Farm 

SOLD 

BROWN CANDOVER, ALRESFORD 

Freehold Industrial Estate located in the Candover Valley. The Estate extends 

to 3.1 hectares (7.71 acres). Total passing rent is £192,816 per annum. 


£32,000 per annum (plus VAT) 

West Barn 

MICHELDEVER STATION, HAMPSHIRE 

TO LET 

Attractive barn conversion with parking. Flexible space with a number of smaller offices, meetings room, larger 

open plan area and a mezzanine deck. There is a kitchenette and WC facilities within the main office and a full 

kitchen in the basement. Approximately 2,670 sq ft (248 sq m). 

£200,000 per annum (plus VAT) 

Manor Farm 

EXTON, HAMPSHIRE 

TO LET 

Buildings 3 & 4 are two former cattle sheds located within a large concrete yard sited on a former dairy farm. The Buildings 

have full planning permission to be used as commercial storage space (B8 use class) and will be newly converted for the 

ingoing tenant. Three phase power and power floated concrete floor. Ample parking and yard space. 33,174 square feet, 

available as a whole or in 4 lots. 



The Office at 

Manor Farm 

LET 

AGREED 

Commercial 

Update 

DUMMER, BASINGSTOKE 

A traditional farm building converted into a rural office. Beautifully presented 

space with 4 dedicated parking spaces. Approximately 925 sq ft (85.93 sq m) 

The popularity of rural commercial space 

continues as it offers locations away from the 

main congestion of town and city traffic. The 

sites are usually private and offer excellent parking 

for staff and visitors. Working in an environment 

surrounded by beautiful countryside can be beneficial 

to staff and the improvement in modern technology 

means working away from city centres does not have 

to impact on your connectivity. The cost of letting 

space in a rural environment offers more flexibility 

and affordability for small and medium businesses. 

Owners of agricultural buildings should consider 

that these can often provide an excellent opportunity 

for conversion into commercial space, creating 

further income. BCM can advise on the commercial 

development potential where often a permitted 

development right can be employed. Class R is the 

permitted development right which allows agricultural 

buildings to be converted to commercial enterprise. 

For existing Landlords, the ever changing legal 

requirements need to be adhered to and it should be 

noted that current EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) 

rules are changing; in April 2023 all commercial space 

using more than minimal power must have these 

certificates in place and be rated E or above. By 2025 

all these spaces must have an EPC rated C or above. 

If you currently have commercial leases in place it is 

also crucial to maintain the agreements so that you do 

not inadvertently offer your tenants security of tenure. 

BCM can offer you a review of your 

commercial property to ensure that you are 

safeguarded against any potential infringements. 


Office Units 

at Aziz Court 

LET 

AGREED 

Office 3, 

Burcot Farm 

LET 

AGREED 

MICHELDEVER, HAMPSHIRE 

EAST STRATTON, HAMPSHIRE 

A complex of traditional farm buildings have been converted into beautifully presented 

office space benefiting from excellent road and rail connections with on site parking. 

Approximately 4,700 sq ft (436 sq m) 

Unit 3 offers one large working area with lots of natural light. WC and kitchen 

facilities. Wonderful rural location, ample parking and excellent road access. 

Approximately 636 sq ft (59.09 sq m) 


Bell House 

LET 

AGREED 

BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE 

A substantial 8 bedroom house with ancillary accommodation, set within 8 acres of gardens 

and grounds. Surrounded by open countryside enjoying a peaceful, private setting. Swimming 

pool and tennis court, stabling and paddocks and a range of outbuildings. 

Isle of Wight 

Mountain Bike 

Photos: contributed 


The Isle of Wight Mountain 

Bike Centre was set up after the 

NatWest Island Games in 2011. 

In September 2017 it came under new 

management and is run by two friends on 

a family farm. Sam Hodgson and Matt 

Townsend have built all the trails here. 

Based at Cheverton, with woodland, 

open fields and amazing views, it now 

provides the Isle of Wight with a place 

where people can go to ride purposebuilt 

mountain bike trails. 

According to Sam “It was never about 

just making something for pros – our 

goal has always been to get riders of all 

ages and genders progressing together.” 

BCM have been helping them to realise 

their plans and, helpfully, they were 

awarded a British Cycling and Sport 

England grant which they’ll be using to 

build lots of new descent lines over the 

coming year, with grades from blue to 

black, as well as adding linking sections to 

connect the existing trails scattered across 

the farm. BCM were instructed by the 

clients to gain full planning permission. 

This was not an easy task – the scheme 

had several challenges including having 

to consult with a number of third parties 

throughout the planning process such as 

Ecologists, Arborists, Public Rights Of 

Way experts, Archaeologists, Engineers, 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

and Historic England. 

BCM were duly granted 

planning consent on 

behalf of the client on 

28th March 2022.” 

The Centre isn’t like 

your typical bike park. 

Not least because it’s 

built on a working 

livestock and arable 

farm that Sam’s parents 

still run, and secondly 

because the layout is 

different. The rolling 

nature of the island’s 

landscape means there 

isn’t one big obvious hill to build on, so 

instead Sam and Matt have criss-crossed 

the 730-acre farmland with many shorter 

descents, which soon, with the link-up 

trails they’re making, will all be rideable 

in big loops. It appears so far that the 

cows and bikes can coexist perfectly too 

because Sam and Matt are creating their 

IT WAS NEVER 

ABOUT JUST 

MAKING 

SOMETHING FOR 

PROS – OUR GOAL 

HAS ALWAYS BEEN 

TO GET RIDERS 

OF ALL AGES 

AND GENDERS 

PROGRESSING 

TOGETHER. 

biking paradise on the steep-sided, wooded 

valleys of the farm that aren’t suitable for 

pasture anyway. 

They have a cafe which serves burgers 

made from beef reared on the farm, a 

shop and they also offer 

bike hire too. With 

Sam’s knowledge of flow 

and what makes a good 

jump, combined with 

Matt’s building skill and 

planning vision, we can 

only see this farmland 

bike park going from 

strength to strength. It’s 

every kid’s dream to make 

something like this in 

their parents’ backyard, 

and it’s awesome to 

see these two making it 

happen – although not 

without some serious 

graft and dedication. Future plans include a 

pumptrack, dirt jumps and skills area. The 

Centre reopened on 18th February 2023. 

Cheverton Farm, PO30 3JE 

www.isleofwightmountainbikecentre.com 


Sky Park Farm 

A family enterprise with herds of deer, an adventure playground, farm trail, farm shop and deli 

as well as delicious local food at The Grazing Rooms. 

In 2019, planning consent was obtained at an existing 

deer farm for a proposed tourism facility for both 

recreational and educational purposes. It included a 

farm shop, butchers and a café. BCM were engaged to 

prepare the building regulations and working drawings 

for the project. The clear vision from the client was to 

create a family friendly attraction which opened up 

the rural setting to visitors, whilst also being run as a 

working farm. Harting is famed for its historic deer 

parks and this was the inspiration for Sky Park Farm 

which is a family-owned farm devoted to deer. 

As a tourism and commercial operation, this was a 

complex project that needed careful thought to prepare 

a design that complied with the statutory regulations, 

whilst meeting the requirements of the client. BCM 

were subsequently involved in preparing a formal tender 

submission and engaging with local building contractors 

to provide competitive quotations for the construction 

work. Our in-house team of designers worked alongside 

specialist consultants, ensuring that the project would 

run smoothly when the construction started on site. 

Sky Park Farm is well thought-out and offers visitors 

access to a rural experience, from the feeding of the 

animals to sampling locally produced food. BCM’s task 

was to ensure that the facility could run as both a working 

farm and serve the needs of their retail customers. BCM 

worked with the family and various consultants to meet 

these goals. Sky Park Farm has now been run successfully 

for the past few years and is well established in the South 

Downs National Park with an excellent reputation. 

This is the type of complex case, in a rural location, 

that the BCM team thrive on. If you have any rural 

development requirements and would like to talk to our 

experts, we would be delighted to share our experience, 

knowledge and advice. 

www.skyparkfarm.com 

A family enterprise with herds of deer, an adventure 

playground, farm trail, farm shop and deli as well 

as delicious local food at The Grazing Rooms. 

54 BCM Journal

Honey 

Cottage 

SOLD 

33 Laverstoke 

Lane 

SOLD 

LONGPARISH, HAMPSHIRE 

LAVERSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE 

A generous Grade II listed 4-bedroom family home in this popular 

Hampshire village. Home office, large garden and garage. 

A delightful, 2-bedroom period end of terrace home in a sought-after village setting. 



Guide £3,450,000 

Billingham Manor 

FOR 

SALE 

CHILLERTON, ISLE OF WIGHT 

A unique and historic estate situated in the hamlet of Billingham to include a Grade II* listed Manor House, separate 

detached cottage, traditional and modern farm buildings. 130 acres (52 ha) of arable, pasture and woodland. Main 

house EPC rating n/a, council tax band G. Manor cottage EPC rating E, council tax band E. 


NEW OFFICE 

BCM Oxford 

YOUR LOCAL, RELIABLE, PLUMBING AND HEATING EXPERTS 

Air Source Heat Pump Installations Boiler Replacement General Plumbing Repairs 

Bathroom Installations Servicing and Repair Tiling Full Plumbing and Heating Installations 

WARM YOUR HOME FOR LESS WITH ECS 

£5K GRANT AVAILABLE ON HEAT PUMP INSTALLATIONS 

The BCM Oxford office has had 

an exciting start to 2023 moving 

to new, larger premises in the 

downland village of East Ilsley. Those 

of you with an eye for geography will 

note that we are now just inside West 

Berkshire, although of course up until 

1974 Berkshire extended all the way 

up to Oxford itself. The Boundaries 

Commission removed the 'leg' from 

the Berkshire boot and with it annexed 

the Berkshire Downs and the Vale of 

the White Horse (which provided the 

county's emblem), allocating them into 

Oxfordshire. 

Tom Bishop (Associate Partner) and his 

growing team continue to expand their 

business around Oxfordshire and the 

neighbouring counties. The new office 

provides the ideal rural environment for 

the team with easy access from the A34 

which puts us in a great geographical 

position to continue servicing our 

existing Oxfordshire clients and also 

to broaden our client base in the 

surrounding counties.” adds Tom. 

As can be the case with commercial 

units in rural locations, installing highspeed 

internet connectivity can be 

difficult and expensive. Initially, local 

suppliers were unable to provide suitable 

broadband at the new premises but 

after researching alternative options, we 

have now successfully installed Starlink’s 

innovative high-speed internet service, 

provided by orbiting satellites. 

BOOK ONLINE 

www.ecsplumbing.co.uk 

Tom and his team continue to offer 

the full range of BCM services 

including estate and farm management, 

valuations, architecture and planning, 

sales and purchases as well as residential 

and commercial letting advice to clients 

and professionals in the area. 

The new office address is: 

BCM, Sunrise Hill Yard, East Ilsley, Newbury RG20 7LY 

01865 817 105 

Email: oxford@bcm.co.uk 

w3w.co/robots.roosters.feeds

Breach Plain House 

SOLD 

BRAMDEAN COMMON, ALRESFORD, HAMPSHIRE 

An exceptional country house with gardens, orchard, swimming pool, tennis courts, triple 

garage with offfice above and an out building with planning permission for a two bedroom 

garden cottage. 2.4 acres (0.97 hectares) 



Equestrian 

Land & Stables 

SOLD 

HIGH STREET, TWYFORD, HAMPSHIRE - SOLD 

Equestrian land and stables extending to approximately 3.87 acres (1.56 hectares) 

Bringing prestige interiors 

to life with light 

Lighting transforms a space and can 

affect our mood and whole sense of well 

being. 

We work with private clients, interior 

designers and developers to help them 

achieve the wow factor and maximise the 

value of their investment. 

OLDMANS FARM, OWSLEBURY, HAMPSHIRE - SOLD 

Stables, manège and land extending to approximately 9.98 acres (4.04 hectares). 

For further information and a copy of our 

digital brochure listing our services and 

fees please contact Suzy Dallas on 

07747698357, email suzy@suzydallas.com 

or visit www.suzydallas.com 


DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN AN AONB 

Kilgour & Co 

Architecture & Design 

Our architecture team can manage the design, planning and 

construction process for private houses, listed building 

restorations, barn conversions, farm diversifications and 

commercial schemes 

Kilgour & Co. are Wantage based 

rural property and equestrian 

specialists who work with the 

owners of estates, racing and equestrian 

related property. They source, organise, 

and coordinate everything needed 

to manage a client’s property and 

bloodstock assets. 

of buildings within the landscape to the 

impact of external lighting (dark skies). 

BCM and Kilgour & Co have worked 

together providing expert planning, 

architecture and equine advice to clients 

to deliver well-designed schemes, while 

still ensuring compliance with planning 

policies. 

BCM have helped Kilgour & Co. and 

their clients with a number of projects in 

the Lambourn and West Berkshire area 

which range from new racehorse training 

complexes through to a state of the art 

equine hospital. The rural environment 

has its own set of strict planning policies 

and our advice and local expertise has 

helped these developments from concept 

to completion. 

While East Berkshire is well known for its 

links with horse racing and other equine 

activities, the North Wessex Downs Area 

of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 

has stricter controls on new development 

in the countryside. Equine developments 

obviously need to be located in open 

countryside which presents specific, 

specialist issues ranging from the setting 

When needed, we use trusted 

consultants such as drainage specialists 

and landscape architects to ensure 

that projects deliver the necessary 

levels of protection, enhancement and 

biodiversity of the AONB landscape. 

This is often challenging but our clear 

and concise advice, along with detailed 

supporting information to address the 

requirements of planning officers, is 

essential for a successful outcome. BCM 

undertakes the discharge of planning 

conditions, building control applications 

and the preparation of detailed working 

documentation for these schemes. 

For further information on Equine 

related development, contact BCM 

Winchester. 

01962 763900 www.bcm.co.uk info@bcm.co.uk 


www.bcm.co.uk 

WINCHESTER • OXFORD • ISLE OF WIGHT 

Coast & Country | bilesandco.co.uk 68

BCM Journal, South Central England Edition 2023

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