BCM JOURNAL - ISLE OF WIGHT EDITION - 2024
- No tags were found...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>JOURNAL</strong><br />
<strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>ISLE</strong> of <strong>WIGHT</strong> <strong>EDITION</strong>
DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL<br />
FOR GIRLS AND BOYS TO 18 YEARS <strong>OF</strong> AGE<br />
Scholarships & bursaries available (including for<br />
sailing) for entry into Years 7, 9 and Sixth Form<br />
RYA SCHOOLS’<br />
MATCH RACING<br />
CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023<br />
U25 CATEGORY<br />
J70 EUROPEAN<br />
CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023<br />
1 ST<br />
2 ND 2 ND<br />
An Island School with a Global Outlook<br />
RYDESCHOOL.ORG.UK | <strong>ISLE</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>WIGHT</strong>
WELCOME<br />
It’s been a busy year at <strong>BCM</strong>. The property market has seen its fair<br />
share of challenges, but with hard work and expertise, we’ve managed to<br />
negotiate the pitfalls that 2023 threw at us. We’ve shared our successes of<br />
the last 12 months with you in the coming pages.<br />
We also take the opportunity to showcase a selection of our current<br />
property instructions, while some of our clients tell stories of how <strong>BCM</strong><br />
has helped with their recent property developments. We reveal some<br />
exciting business news that will enable us to expand our reach throughout<br />
Hampshire, and you’ll see some of the amazing sponsorship events our<br />
team has been able to take part in.<br />
Here at <strong>BCM</strong>, we look forward to <strong>2024</strong> being another prosperous year for<br />
our clients, and if you would like advice on any property-related matters,<br />
please get in touch.<br />
WINCHESTER<br />
<strong>ISLE</strong> of <strong>WIGHT</strong><br />
OXFORD<br />
PETERSFIELD<br />
The Old Dairy<br />
Winchester Hill<br />
Sutton Scotney<br />
Winchester<br />
SO21 3NZ<br />
Red Barn<br />
Cheeks Farm<br />
Merstone Lane<br />
Merstone<br />
Isle of Wight<br />
PO30 3DE<br />
Sunrise Hill Yard<br />
East Ilsley<br />
Newbury<br />
Berkshire<br />
RG20 7LY<br />
Wilson Hill<br />
4 Lavant St<br />
Petersfield<br />
GU32 3EW<br />
Call: 01962 763900<br />
Email: info@bcm.co.uk<br />
Call: 01983 828800<br />
Email: iow@bcm.co.uk<br />
Call: 01865 817105<br />
Email: oxford@bcm.co.uk<br />
Call: 01730 262600<br />
Email: info@wilsonhill.co.uk<br />
COVER: Around The Island Race by Available Light Photography<br />
<strong>JOURNAL</strong> DESIGN & EDITING : Style of Wight Magazine www..styleofwight.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> is a trading name of <strong>BCM</strong> Bays Curry McCowen LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in<br />
England and Wales No: OC318704. Registered Office: The Old Dairy, Winchester Hill, Sutton Scotney,<br />
Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3NZ, UK<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> is also a trading name of <strong>BCM</strong> (IOW) LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England<br />
and Wales No: OC367152. Registered Office: The Old Dairy, Winchester Hill, Sutton Scotney,<br />
Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3NZ, UK<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 3
CONTENTS<br />
3 WELCOME<br />
6 ABOUT US<br />
14 MARKET OVERVIEW<br />
28 <strong>BCM</strong> <strong>ISLE</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>WIGHT</strong> SALES STATISTICS<br />
58 MARKET UPDATE <strong>2024</strong><br />
76 OUR ISLAND<br />
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS<br />
8 WATCHINGWELL MANOR, Calbourne<br />
10 LUCKETTS FARMHOUSE, Yarmouth<br />
12 FELTHAM HOUSE, Wellow<br />
24 NEW BANK END, St Lawrence<br />
27 10 BURY COURT COTTAGES, Bentley<br />
38 PLOT ADJACENT TO SILVERLEYS, Godshill<br />
49 ROWBOROUGH MANOR, Brading<br />
50 WOODCOTE, Upham<br />
52 PARK HOUSE, Hambledon<br />
56 NODEWELL FARMHOUSE, Totland Bay<br />
68 SWIRL HOW, Merstone<br />
71 THE LAKEHOUSE, Bathingbourne<br />
78 1 NORTH LANE, South Harting<br />
FEATURE STORIES<br />
19 BRIDDLESFORD BRILLIANCE<br />
Old-fashioned dairy know-how at Briddlesford Farm<br />
20 SELF-BUILD YOUR WAY TO A DREAM HOME<br />
When you can’t buy it, build it!<br />
36 FORRESTER’S HALL<br />
A suite with a difference at Yarmouth’s The George<br />
42 <strong>WIGHT</strong> PUP PARADISE<br />
The Island is a rural paradise for pups<br />
46 THE <strong>BCM</strong> TOUCH AT TAPNELL<br />
Tap into fun at Tapnell Farm<br />
62 THE TINY HOMES MOVEMENT<br />
Live less to live more<br />
67 A NOD TO THE PAST<br />
Bringing back the better days at Fanny’s Farm Shop & Nurseries<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 5
About Us<br />
HISTORY<br />
Our expertise covers sales and lettings, rural consultancy, valuation,<br />
planning and architecture.<br />
We are a tight-knit team of friendly professionals who enjoy and<br />
thrive on what we do: applying modern thinking to the evolving rural<br />
landscape using technology with traditional values. Our role is to<br />
maximise your assets, remove stress and deliver the results you want.<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> stands for Bays Curry McCowen, the surnames of the founder partners of the firm, Andrew Bays, Iain Curry<br />
and Henry McCowen.<br />
The founder partners were all formerly partners in the locally renowned firm of Chartered Surveyors, James Harris, which was<br />
established in 1861. This business was sold to a major national agent in 1997 and the partners remained there until December<br />
2000. Together they started <strong>BCM</strong> in January 2001. Today <strong>BCM</strong> is a multi disciplined rural property services firm operating across<br />
four offices throughout southern England.<br />
LOCATIONS<br />
1. OXFORD<br />
2. WINCHESTER<br />
1<br />
3. <strong>ISLE</strong> of <strong>WIGHT</strong><br />
4. PETERSFIELD<br />
2<br />
4<br />
3<br />
6<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
The Isle of Wight team from left to right are: Thomas Dawson, Richard Holmes,<br />
Jade Davies, James Attrill, Stacey Attrill-Butler and David Long.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 7
Watchingwell Manor<br />
Calbourne, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band G EPC: E (Manor) E (Barn)<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £2,100,000<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
A stunning, refurbished Grade II listed Georgian Manor situated only a 15-minute drive from Yarmouth,<br />
enjoying 6 bedrooms, tennis court, gym/outbuilding, gardens, grounds, paddocks and stabling, in all<br />
extending to 10.17 acres (4.11ha).<br />
8<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 9
Lucketts Farmhouse<br />
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band E EPC: C TENURE: Freehold <strong>OF</strong>FERS IN EXCESS <strong>OF</strong> : £650,000<br />
A wonderful, detached farmhouse, situated in the rural location of Bouldnor, five minutes from the harbour town<br />
of Yarmouth benefitting from views across its own garden and grounds. As well as the main house, the property<br />
includes a large garden, static caravan and a number of outbuildings. In all, the property extends<br />
to 1 acre.<br />
10<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
promotional feature<br />
It’s Happenin’<br />
at The Hut<br />
It’s the Isle of Wight’s very own celebrity hot spot, claiming a long list of<br />
Hollywood A-listers among its guests. Arriving by rib, yacht or chopper<br />
is not unusual, or you could request to be collected from the Yarmouth<br />
marina by one of the restaurant’s two branded Land Rover 101 FC ex-military<br />
personnel carriers. After all, with cocktails like the gin-based English Garden<br />
Twist or Kiss from a Rose’s tantalising mix of vodka, elderflower, mint and rose<br />
on offer, you definitely do not want to be the designated driver.<br />
But through all this glitz and glamour,<br />
the Hut retains a true Island identity<br />
with its seaside vibe and casual<br />
atmosphere. Brothers Matt and George<br />
Adams offer guests their very own<br />
unique blend of food, music and seaside<br />
style. Bring your wide-brimmed straw<br />
hat and dark sunglasses because your<br />
meal (usually) comes with a dowsing of<br />
sunshine and laid-back tunes from local<br />
musicians.<br />
There’s no denying you’ll find<br />
sophisticated beach vibes aplenty and an<br />
ocean-going atmosphere at the Hut, but<br />
what about the food? Whether you’re<br />
visiting for lunch or plan to catch the<br />
sunset, the view past the Needles is the<br />
perfect accompaniment to Head Chef<br />
Lucian Romocea’s crisp menu. At the<br />
time of writing <strong>2024</strong>’s offering hasn’t<br />
been released, but if earlier years are<br />
anything to go by, guests can expect to<br />
dine on a delectable combination of fish<br />
tacos, crab salad, rock oysters and of<br />
course grilled lobster (they sell around<br />
1,000 per week in summer).<br />
It has been said that while relaxing on<br />
the Hut’s open-air slatted deck and<br />
gazing out across Christchurch Bay you<br />
could almost be in the Caribbean, but<br />
why would you want to be half a world<br />
away when you’ve already arrived on the<br />
Isle of Wight? Especially when the Hut’s<br />
famous surf and turf platter for two and<br />
their house Painkiller cocktail (which<br />
involves a splendid mix of Gosling’s rum,<br />
coconut, pineapple and orange) are right<br />
here in front of you.<br />
Open from March through to November,<br />
bookings are essential and often snatched<br />
up well in advance, so jump online to<br />
make it happen at thehutcolwell.co.uk.
Billingham Manor<br />
Feltham House<br />
Wellow,<br />
Chillerton,<br />
Isle of<br />
Isle<br />
Wight<br />
of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: F EPC: E TENURE: Freehold<br />
<strong>OF</strong>FERS IN EXCESS <strong>OF</strong> : £750,000<br />
GUIDE: £500,000 to £600,00<br />
Feltham House is an attractive, three storey property, situated in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty at<br />
Wellow. This detached Georgian style home comes with a large garden and useful outbuildings including a<br />
wonderful garage (with potential for alternative uses), all set in approximately 0.32 acres.<br />
12<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 13
Market Overview<br />
<strong>ISLE</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>WIGHT</strong><br />
Thomas Dawson<br />
AssocRICS<br />
Associate Partner, Agency<br />
Over the last 12 months, the Isle of<br />
Wight office has seen a steady flow of<br />
activity at the medium-high end of<br />
the market, however, the lower end<br />
of the market has been struggling due<br />
to nervousness over interest rates, a<br />
potential election and inflation pressure.<br />
Interestingly, <strong>BCM</strong> (as writing in<br />
December 2023) have completed on<br />
double the number of properties at the<br />
higher end (£1,500,000+) compared<br />
to the last 3 years – those active in this<br />
section of the market are still buying,<br />
if the property matches their specific<br />
criteria.<br />
When reviewing the broad market<br />
data, average property prices on the<br />
Isle of Wight declined 2.1% over the<br />
past year, cutting £5,800 from the price<br />
of an average home, according to the<br />
December 2023 House Price Index.<br />
The typical home on the Island is now<br />
worth £272,100, which is still higher<br />
than the price of the average UK home<br />
at £264,600.<br />
During the Covid-19 pandemic the<br />
average price of an Isle of Wight<br />
property was outperforming the New<br />
Forest, which shows how strong markets<br />
can continue to push Island values closer<br />
to mainland alternatives.<br />
The farm and land market has, over<br />
the last year, performed well and it<br />
continues to become an attractive asset<br />
for investors. A recent study confirmed<br />
that the UK average price of arable land<br />
was achieving nearly £11,000, per acre,<br />
pastureland around £8,500 per acre and<br />
woodland £6,000 per acre. The Isle of<br />
Wight continues to offer good value in<br />
these agricultural markets, but the cross-<br />
Solent gap is closing with Island land<br />
prices seemingly showing above trend<br />
growth. Natural Capital Offsetting land<br />
opportunities and Vineyard potential<br />
have attracted new buying sectors. Who<br />
knows what <strong>2024</strong> will bring, but we are<br />
optimistic from what we are seeing in<br />
these early months.<br />
In my view it would be better to “get<br />
the election out of the way” in Spring<br />
<strong>2024</strong>, at least giving some clarity rather<br />
than second guessing. Whilst inflation<br />
and interest rates are widely thought to<br />
have peaked, I think the election will be a<br />
major consideration for buyers and sellers<br />
in <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
With the recent announcements from<br />
the Chancellor from the Spring Budget<br />
<strong>2024</strong>, such as the lowering of capital<br />
gains tax from 28% to 24% on residential<br />
property and the abolishment of Multiple<br />
Dwelling Relief, it is going to be quite an<br />
interesting year.<br />
WINCHESTER<br />
Tom Woods<br />
BSc (Hons) MARLA<br />
Senior Associate,<br />
Residential Sales & Lettings<br />
As we cast our eye back over 2023, it<br />
is fair to note that it has been more of<br />
a challenging time for the Hampshire<br />
country house market. The overriding<br />
factor has been the cost-of-living crisis,<br />
which although it has eased as we reach<br />
the end of the year, has forced up interest<br />
rates and borrowing costs, coupled with<br />
high energy bills and inflation. Against<br />
this backdrop, it is no wonder that the<br />
sales market has experienced difficulties,<br />
but equally it is important to note that<br />
there is a market out there, albeit a more<br />
price sensitive one.<br />
Interestingly, my own view is that we have<br />
returned to a ‘pre covid’ world, where<br />
the best-in-class houses or those that<br />
have launched with a realistic guide price<br />
continue to attract good levels of interest.<br />
What we have noticed is that the heady<br />
days of the past few years, where houses<br />
launched attracted multiple interest and<br />
offers very quickly, has been replaced by,<br />
dare I say it, a more normal sales process<br />
whereby we have received viewings over<br />
a period of weeks and negotiations have<br />
often resulted in sales being concluded<br />
close to their respective guide prices, but<br />
a little lower. We are having to work our<br />
buyers harder to achieve results, but this<br />
14<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
is just good old-fashioned agency!<br />
The mortgage market has thrown up its<br />
challenges this year, and we have had<br />
examples of lenders pulling their offers<br />
earlier in the year as the lending criteria<br />
tightened. That has now appeared to<br />
settle down as interest rates have steadied,<br />
and interestingly, having spoken with a<br />
number of brokers, there is a tentative<br />
view in the mortgage market that the<br />
base rate could come down to around 4%<br />
by 2025. The issue here for a buyer is, ‘do<br />
I buy now with interest rates at 5.25%, or<br />
wait for another year or so when I can get<br />
a better deal?’ You can understand why<br />
so many buyers are sitting on the fence.<br />
The knock-on effect of this brings us<br />
back round to my first point, that the<br />
houses which are still selling are those<br />
that really capture buyers’ imaginations<br />
or get them very excited: a ‘must have’<br />
whether it be because of the type of<br />
house, or, put bluntly, the price.<br />
Interestingly, our colleagues at Wilson<br />
Hill have noted recently that they are<br />
reducing prices, a cut of up to 20% can<br />
be needed to really kick start interest.<br />
The challenge here is that it is only<br />
vendors who have to sell who will drop<br />
their price by this amount, which then<br />
leads to a fairly distorted market.<br />
If this all sounds rather bleak, it is<br />
important to re-emphasise that sales are<br />
still going through, and there remains<br />
an overall shortage of supply. Buyer<br />
profiles remain fairly consistent, with<br />
Hampshire continuing to be a draw for<br />
people moving out of London for more<br />
of a rural lifestyle, with access to great<br />
schools and commuting. These are the<br />
fundamentals which underpin the<br />
market here.<br />
There is no doubt the buyers are there;<br />
they just really need to be persuaded to<br />
part with their money at the moment! To<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
this end, our view is that going forward<br />
into the early part of <strong>2024</strong>, correct and<br />
sensible pricing and good presentation is<br />
vitally important to achieve success.<br />
Looking further ahead to next year, the<br />
proverbial ‘elephant in the room’ will<br />
of course be the general election. In an<br />
election year, the market always tends<br />
to ease off whilst people wait to see who<br />
wins and what that might mean for them<br />
and their money. This could mean that<br />
we see a busy start to <strong>2024</strong> with perhaps<br />
more houses coming to the market in the<br />
earlier part of the year to avoid any preelection<br />
slow down. We believe prices will<br />
remain quite static, possibly even seeing<br />
a small decrease, but our hope is the<br />
market will level out and be performing<br />
well again by the end of <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
PETERSFIELD<br />
Russell Hill<br />
Partner<br />
Residential Sales<br />
What a whirlwind year and one of<br />
contrast. However, like all good weather<br />
systems they do pass and yet again the<br />
early bird caught the worm. We launched<br />
a great village house in early January<br />
against a backdrop of incessant rain,<br />
but in a market starved of quality and<br />
with a brochure portraying summer<br />
photographs, viewings were aplenty, and<br />
we achieved an early sale for our client<br />
and a happy buyer. The late 2022 rally of<br />
confidence had indeed rolled into 2023.<br />
As the days lengthened and spring hove<br />
into view, we continued to…sell, sell, sell,<br />
and agree sales above or at asking price.<br />
April/May presented some of the longest<br />
periods of grey skies for many years<br />
making photo shoots challenging and the<br />
reason we advise photography to be done<br />
in advance.<br />
June marked a turning point, like<br />
someone flicking a switch. Negative<br />
media, ever rising interest rates, and<br />
affordability in an uncertain world<br />
caused many buyers to pause, stop<br />
searching or reset budgets. Undeterred<br />
by the mood swing we doubled down<br />
our efforts to communicate with those<br />
buyers still wanting to buy and manage<br />
our clients’ expectations to be patient,<br />
but also realistic. The summer was a<br />
period of consolidation and wider market<br />
price reductions were something we<br />
had to monitor and react to as needs<br />
dictated. September was once again a<br />
month of inaction before the last quarter<br />
kicked in as stock levels reduced and we<br />
navigated the common ground between<br />
buyers and sellers with positive results<br />
all round. Despite some whirlwind world<br />
events, owning a home is still a lifestyle<br />
choice not a short-term investment. We<br />
encouraged sellers to crack on, with<br />
one village house securing multiple<br />
viewings, 95% from buyers we knew<br />
(not the internet) and again secured a<br />
sale over the guide price. Old fashioned<br />
agency values of knowing your buyers,<br />
understanding a changing market,<br />
keeping calm and carrying on, has meant<br />
we have ended the year in a positive<br />
place and are well prepared for <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Opportunity beckons…<br />
Electioneering<br />
Crystal ball gazing is notoriously difficult,<br />
but we can be certain that there will<br />
be a General Election in <strong>2024</strong>. The<br />
economy is settling down and interest<br />
rates are levelling off bringing greater<br />
stability as buyers’ budgets reset so we<br />
anticipate a steady first half of the year<br />
before electioneering starts and there’s an<br />
inevitable pause. Sellers should therefore<br />
steam ahead.<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 15
Redefining Rural Real Estate<br />
In a move that is set to reshape the landscape of rural real estate in the south of England, <strong>BCM</strong> Rural Property Consultants and<br />
Wilson Hill have announced their strategic unification. This development expands <strong>BCM</strong>’s reach to include Petersfield and will<br />
bring the combined local expertise, innovation, and client-centric services of both companies to the area.<br />
16<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
The Wilson Hill team from left to right are: Etta Bevan, Amelia Harris<br />
Russell Hill, Square Hill, Richard Trimbee, Annabel Toyne-Sewell and Maddy Sanders<br />
A Fusion of Strengths: <strong>BCM</strong> is renowned<br />
in the industry for its proficiency in rural<br />
property valuation and consultancy —<br />
combining this with Wilson Hill’s expert<br />
local knowledge will create a dynamic<br />
force in the area.<br />
Comprehensive Services: The strategic<br />
unification allows the companies to<br />
offer a comprehensive service portfolio<br />
— from expert valuation to strategic<br />
development planning, clients now have<br />
access to a one-stop-shop for all their<br />
rural real estate needs.<br />
Geographic Expansion and Market Presence:<br />
The strategic unification has not only<br />
strengthened its market presence but<br />
has also allowed <strong>BCM</strong> to extend its<br />
reach into new territories, presenting<br />
exciting opportunities for growth and<br />
collaboration.<br />
Client-Centric Excellence: At the heart of<br />
this strategic unification is a shared<br />
commitment to a client-centric approach.<br />
The integrated team understands<br />
that every client is unique, and the<br />
strategic unification allows for a tailored<br />
approach that addresses individual needs<br />
and aspirations. This focus on client<br />
satisfaction has already translated into<br />
long-lasting relationships and positive<br />
industry recognition.<br />
Looking Forward: As <strong>BCM</strong> Rural Property<br />
Consultants and Wilson Hill begin this<br />
exciting new chapter, they are poised<br />
for continued success, driven by a<br />
dedication to excellence, a commitment<br />
to innovation, and a passion for serving<br />
the evolving needs of clients in the rural<br />
property sector.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 17
SOLD<br />
South Harting, West Sussex<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band G EPC: House + Annexe E<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
A charming character home with separate annexe set in a prime, private edge of village<br />
location with wonderful views.<br />
18<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
Briddlesford<br />
Brilliance<br />
Dairy farming has had it tough over the past<br />
century, but a few clever decisions, expert<br />
professional advice, and a beloved herd of<br />
Guernsey cows has turned Briddlesford Farm into<br />
the Isle of Wight destination eatery that it is today.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 19
For the past 100 years, Briddlesford<br />
Lodge Farm has been home to the<br />
Griffin family and their Guernsey<br />
cows. The herd was established in 1923<br />
by Charles Griffin, who walked across the<br />
downs from Grove Farm at Adgestone to<br />
take up the tenancy at Briddlesford. He<br />
took his family, all their possessions, a<br />
few pigs, two horses, and around 12<br />
toffee and white Guernsey cows.<br />
The family has been busy over the years<br />
and the farm has gone from strength to<br />
strength, developing into the destination<br />
eatery now known across the island and<br />
beyond. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing,<br />
however. A few savvy business decisions,<br />
clever diversification, and expert advice<br />
have ensured the farm stayed profitable<br />
during the tough times. <strong>BCM</strong> became<br />
a part of this process for the first time<br />
in 2008 when they stepped in to help<br />
redevelop the redundant wintering<br />
barn into Bluebells café. Their<br />
consultants handled the planning and<br />
facilitated the project management and<br />
design work for what was to become a<br />
hub for the local community.<br />
The next step in the farm’s development<br />
was born from the need to expand the<br />
milk processing capacity to handle the<br />
volume and quality of product being<br />
produced. The Griffins had decided that<br />
the path to survival in the tough dairy<br />
market, and the best way to preserve<br />
their beloved Guernsey herd, lay in<br />
marketing their own milk, butter, and<br />
dairy products, as opposed to relying<br />
on mass market sales that usually made<br />
more loss than profit. The idea was to<br />
showcase milk and dairy products from<br />
the Briddlesford herd as well as Isle of<br />
Wight produce in general.<br />
The development of a ‘state of the art’<br />
milk processing dairy began. Once again,<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> took this concept through planning<br />
and project management. Cash flow was<br />
tight, and help from the bank was limited,<br />
but a combination of private investment,<br />
grant funding, and short-term finance<br />
enabled the eventual completion of<br />
the development in 2017.<br />
The new dairy enabled the Griffins<br />
to separate their milk into delicious<br />
Guernsey cream, which was churned to<br />
make butter, and the skim was blended<br />
with whole milk to make semi-skimmed.<br />
Five different cheeses were also made<br />
in the new dairy. Careful branding and<br />
marketing, and using the platform of<br />
the much-loved shop and café, enabled<br />
the family to quickly find the buyers,<br />
some large and many small, that they<br />
needed to sell all their milk direct to the<br />
consumer. It was an overnight success<br />
and the Griffin family, along with their<br />
herd of Guernseys, has never<br />
looked back.<br />
So what’s next for Briddlesford’s<br />
development? The exceptional products<br />
produced at the farm, combined with<br />
the expert professional advice and<br />
consultancy resources offered by <strong>BCM</strong>,<br />
have helped the Griffins gain class Q<br />
planning permission to convert the old<br />
pig sties into a new farmhouse. This<br />
will be completed in <strong>2024</strong> and is a<br />
charismatic and sensitive conversion that<br />
will be another credit to the property.<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> has also worked alongside<br />
Briddlesford to support and advise on<br />
the potential for solar power generation.<br />
The farm has installed two barn rooftop<br />
50kw systems which generate a significant<br />
proportion of the power for the shop,<br />
café, and the farm. During the summer<br />
months, the lunchtime rush in the café<br />
will be entirely powered by electricity<br />
from solar generation, as will the<br />
shop fridges.<br />
Further than that, the Griffins are<br />
now working with <strong>BCM</strong> and Ridge<br />
Clean Energy to develop a field-scale<br />
renewable energy solar project. This has<br />
the potential to turn some of the least<br />
productive land on the property into a<br />
highly efficient solar farm, which will<br />
provide clean and green energy to over<br />
500 homes on the Isle of Wight. The<br />
land will become a haven for wildlife and<br />
biodiversity. It will deliver huge benefits<br />
for the environment, for the climate,<br />
for the island, and for Briddlesford.<br />
This latest project is due to connect to<br />
the grid in <strong>2024</strong> and, once again, will be<br />
a credit to <strong>BCM</strong>, to Briddlesford, and to<br />
the Isle of Wight.<br />
20<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 21
Bembridge, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band H EPC: C<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
Lavender House is a stunning and well-appointed property situated in the coastal village of Bembridge, set on<br />
the sought-after Swains Lane. Built to provide high quality accommodation, comprising a detached family home<br />
set across four floors and complemented by a heated outdoor, luxurious pool complex, self-contained ancillary<br />
accommodation and a large landscaped garden, all set within a plot extending to just under ¾ of an acre.<br />
22<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
SOLD<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 23
New Bank End<br />
St Lawrence, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band N/A EPC: Swallows and Swift - F TENURE: Freehold<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £1,690,000 (Available as a whole or in two separate lots).<br />
24<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
A wonderful coastal holiday business and potential development site situated on the<br />
southern coast of the Island in the sought-after area of St Lawrence, enjoying<br />
uninterrupted sea views including two 3-bedroom holiday cottages, a<br />
substantial glasshouse (with positive pre-application for a residential dwelling),<br />
commercial buildings providing useful income (with a positive pre-application<br />
for two residential dwellings), campsite, woodland, grounds and lake, in all extending<br />
to 6.12 acres (2.47 ha).<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 25
Celia Wilkinson<br />
contemporary painter<br />
Since leaving London in 2001 Celia has lived and worked<br />
on the south side of the Isle of Wight and has had a studio<br />
at Binnel Studios since 2014.<br />
Her paintings are a depiction of her memory of places<br />
rather than a recording. This allows her the freedom to tell<br />
her own story.<br />
In 2021 she was invited to exhibit alongside Vivienne Westwood<br />
at the Florence Biennale and was awarded 2nd place<br />
Lorenzo Il Magnifico award for painting.<br />
More recently in January this year Celia was featured in<br />
an episode of Open Country, for BBC Radio 4, hosted by<br />
Anneka Rice called Creative Island.<br />
Celia has exhibited throughout the UK and abroad since<br />
1997 also undertaking many commissions and her work<br />
being collected worldwide.<br />
Her style of painting comes from two strong influences: her<br />
Father’s love of Post Modern design (which he taught and<br />
practised) and her Mother’s painting style amongst others.<br />
Unit 3 Binnel Studios, Old Park Rd, Ventnor, PO38 1XR<br />
Mob 07968556521<br />
celiawilkinson@outlook.com<br />
www.celiawilkinson.co.uk<br />
celiawilkinson
10 Bury Court Cottages<br />
Bentley, Farnham<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band C EPC: C TENURE: Freehold GUIDE PRICE: £775,000<br />
10 Bury Court Cottages is a stunning semi-detached cottage set in an unspoilt rural location. The cottage has<br />
been recently extended and modernised to a high standard. Entered via a porch with cloakroom, into a light<br />
and spacious sitting room featuring two character fireplaces and French doors opening out onto the terrace<br />
and garden beyond. A newly fitted and bright kitchen/breakfast room also has access onto the garden, ideal for<br />
entertaining. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms, a family bathroom and the main bedroom has an<br />
en-suite shower room. All rooms boast lovely views over the surrounding countryside and farmland.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 27
<strong>BCM</strong> Isle of Wight Sales Statistics<br />
At <strong>BCM</strong>, we love data and statistics<br />
- it’s how we guide our business to<br />
ensure our clients receive<br />
market-relevant information<br />
from experts in the<br />
property field. Here<br />
are some of our<br />
favourite numbers<br />
from 2023.<br />
10%<br />
ARE OVERSEAS<br />
BUYERS<br />
Compared with 8% in 2022<br />
71%<br />
ARE MAINLAND<br />
BUYERS<br />
Compared with 76% in 2022<br />
19%<br />
ARE ISLAND<br />
BUYERS<br />
Compared with 16% in 2022<br />
28<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
OUR APPLICANT DATABASE<br />
HAS GROWN BY NEARLY<br />
10x<br />
OVER THE PAST YEAR<br />
Compared with trebling between 2020 -2022<br />
39<br />
DAYS<br />
AVERAGE TIME<br />
ON THE MARKET<br />
BEFORE GOING<br />
UNDER <strong>OF</strong>FER<br />
Compared with 20 days in 2022<br />
97%<br />
ARE CASH<br />
BUYERS<br />
Compared with 91% in 2022<br />
Data from December 2022 – December 2023<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 29
Self-Build Your Way<br />
to a Dream Home<br />
Planning a self-build doesn’t usually come with an easy reputation, especially not for first home<br />
buyers. But, just like with every route to gaining that all-important foothold in the housing market,<br />
if you’ve got some good advice and a little courage, it can be a great option.<br />
Thomas Dawson, Associate Partner at<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> Rural Specialists, found this out<br />
for himself at the tender age of 22 when<br />
he and his partner decided it was the<br />
best way for them to achieve their dream<br />
home within budget. This is his story.<br />
“My partner and I looked around the<br />
Island for a property in a nice location<br />
with parking but couldn’t find much in<br />
our price range. Although it was our<br />
first home, we still knew what we wanted<br />
and were not tempted with some of the<br />
tightly squeezed new developments on<br />
the Island!”<br />
“We started to think of other options,<br />
like building. Many people had told<br />
us that ‘building your own home’ was<br />
unachievable, would never happen and<br />
was too stressful, but, even though we<br />
were only in our early 20s, we decided<br />
to give it a go anyway. I worked in<br />
architecture at the time and my partner<br />
in floristry. Despite both being employed<br />
full time, we decided to project manage<br />
it ourselves because it saved money and<br />
gave us more control over the suppliers<br />
we used.<br />
“The first step was to have a look on the<br />
market to see what was available. We<br />
came across a plot in West Wight which<br />
had planning permission for a twobedroom<br />
detached bungalow with double<br />
parking and a good-sized garden. Our<br />
initial offer was rejected, but our second<br />
was accepted and then we looked into the<br />
possibility of finance.<br />
“Finance for self-build properties is fairly<br />
simple but takes longer than a standard<br />
mortgage. With a self-build mortgage, the<br />
lender (in our case, the building society)<br />
looks to lend about 80% of the cost of<br />
the land with planning consent and then<br />
around 80% of the build costs. We put<br />
down a slightly larger deposit of 20% in<br />
order to reach our target. The mortgage<br />
application process is very detailed.<br />
You have to provide a comprehensive<br />
spreadsheet on your proposed build costs.<br />
Unfortunately, putting random numbers<br />
into the spreadsheet doesn’t cut it - you<br />
need quotes on letter-headed paper to<br />
back up your figures. After the figures<br />
are all agreed, the land will still need to<br />
be surveyed by a RICS chartered valuer<br />
and also go through a process with the inhouse<br />
quantity surveying team where you<br />
are applying for your mortgage.<br />
“After our mortgage was approved, we<br />
swiftly exchanged and completed on the<br />
same day and started getting to work.<br />
Throughout the build, we used local<br />
contractors - our foreman and<br />
electrician were from Ventnor, our<br />
plumber from Godshill, superstructure<br />
and heating engineers all from Newport.<br />
This was important to both my partner<br />
and myself - we felt we wanted to use<br />
as many local businesses as possible,<br />
which in turn would be good for the local<br />
economy – even some of our furniture is<br />
30<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
from charity shops in Newport! Sticking<br />
local also made the process easier for us,<br />
and we received building control and<br />
warranty sign off in February 2019. We<br />
moved in just two days later.<br />
“Having had time to reflect on the<br />
experience of ‘self-building on a budget’,<br />
I can say that in my experience there are<br />
both pros and cons. It’s a masterclass in<br />
learning to manage money, which can be<br />
seen as a pro (although a stressful one).<br />
You also end up owning a brand-new<br />
property and, if you’re careful, the<br />
overall project cost can be less than<br />
expected and definitely less than<br />
purchasing an existing property.<br />
“However, it’s not all smooth sailing. In<br />
my experience, the cons are that it can<br />
be challenging – managing money and<br />
ordering the correct materials can take its<br />
toll. Money was very tight throughout the<br />
build, so I would definitely advise having<br />
at least 10% contingency. It is also<br />
very time consuming, especially as we<br />
were project managing it ourselves, and<br />
became essentially like having another<br />
job. If you are considering project<br />
managing your own build, I would<br />
advise that you seek professional advice<br />
throughout the process, from architects,<br />
surveyors, contractors, etc. This way, you<br />
can make sure that you are complying<br />
with all necessary planning permission<br />
and building controls. You may pay fees,<br />
but the professional’s advice is definitely<br />
worth it.<br />
“As a whole, my partner and I found<br />
the self-build option fulfilling personally,<br />
financially and creatively. We are risk<br />
takers, so much so that we are considering<br />
doing another self-build quite soon. Now<br />
that I’ve joined <strong>BCM</strong>, I’m able to use the<br />
skills and experience I learnt throughout<br />
my own build in my professional career.<br />
If anybody is interested in completing a<br />
self-build for their first home, please feel<br />
free to contact me.<br />
“Despite the challenges, in the end we<br />
achieved a wonderful new build property<br />
in a lovely location. It is energy efficient<br />
and, most importantly, the overall cost<br />
was more than 20% less than purchasing<br />
your average flat on the Island. That’s a<br />
win, win I’d say!”<br />
Thomas Dawson AssocRICS<br />
Associate Partner<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> Rural Specialists | IOW Office:<br />
01983 828800 | bcm.co.uk<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 31
Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: B and F EPC: C<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
Westfield is a delightful and recently modernised family home situated in the sought-after location of Brocks<br />
Copse Road, on the outskirts of Wootton. Westfield comprises a house with a self contained annexe and a<br />
useful outbuilding comprising gym, car port and workshop/machinery store, all sat within gardens and grounds<br />
extending to approximately 1.34 acres.<br />
32<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
SOLD<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 33
SOLD<br />
34<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
Whitwell, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band N/A EPC: N/A<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
Rare to the open market, Lot 2 Week Farm is an attractive and well-equipped residential farm, set in the centre<br />
of its own ring-fenced land with views to the sea, comprising Arable, Pasture and Woodland extending to<br />
approximately 146.60 ha (359.80 acres), including a range of non-listed, modern and traditional farm buildings<br />
producing a fantastic rent roll.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 35
Forrester’s Hall<br />
High Street, Yarmouth<br />
F<br />
orrester’s Hall is a former<br />
boat-building workshop. It sits<br />
on Yarmouth High Street less<br />
than 100 yards from the George Hotel<br />
and one row back from the sea. This<br />
magnificent building offers a doubleheight<br />
space and is steeped in history. It<br />
most recently ran as a successful Italian<br />
Restaurant, La Cucina, until Howard<br />
Spooner acquired the long lease in 2021.<br />
The purpose of the acquisition was to<br />
expand the offering of The George,<br />
providing the same level of service but<br />
set away from the hustle and bustle of<br />
the main hotel.<br />
Forrester’s Hall provides guests with the<br />
ultimate suite, featuring a quirky interior<br />
and all the mod cons. It enjoys a private<br />
entrance hall with a wet room, large<br />
open plan living space with a breakfast<br />
bar, and a family bathroom. A central<br />
staircase leads to a mezzanine floor<br />
containing the spacious master bedroom<br />
and en-suite bathroom. <strong>BCM</strong>’s Associate<br />
Partner assisted the client with the<br />
scheme and, as a resident of Yarmouth,<br />
was able to explain the positives.<br />
Thomas led the scheme from concept<br />
to completion and says, “Forresters Hall<br />
is a wonderful concept, which I am sure<br />
many hoteliers may adopt; Howard<br />
and his brother Julian have transformed<br />
this space, which will provide economic<br />
and employment benefits to the local<br />
community.”<br />
If you would like to find out more about<br />
The George or Forresters Hall, please<br />
visit thegeorge.co.uk.<br />
36<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 37
Residential development plot<br />
adjacent to Silverleys<br />
Godshill, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: TBC EPC: TBC TENURE: Freehold<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £225,000<br />
C.G.I.<br />
A great opportunity to purchase a building plot with full planning permission for a detached four bedroom<br />
dwelling on the outskirts of Godshill village, under planning reference 23/01105/FUL . Godshill is a picturesque<br />
village set between Newport and Ventnor to the southeast of the Island. The village comprises a school, pubs,<br />
boutique shops and eateries, with a main bus route running through the village. The dwelling as proposed is set<br />
over two floors, with each floor comprising:<br />
Ground Floor - Hall, Kitchen, Dining, Lounge, Study, Lounge and W/C<br />
First Floor - Four Double Bedrooms (Two En-Suite), Bathroom and Landing<br />
As illustrated on the submission plans, the proposed dwelling will enjoy a large rear and side garden and parking<br />
via in and out driveway (with turning head).<br />
In all, the property extends to 0.29 acres (0.11ha).<br />
38<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
The firm of JR Buckett & Sons was founded in 1881, making them one of the oldest Building Contractors on the Island.<br />
Company director and co-owner Colin Hibberd, is keen to ensure Bucketts excellent reputation is maintained, despite the<br />
economic challenges being faced by us all. Supported by his close colleague Peter Hailes, Bucketts continue to prove themselves<br />
as one of most highly regarded Builders on the Island. Offering a friendly service to all clients, to assist them along the journey<br />
from the initial enquiry through to the completion of the project. Working in close collaboration with other professionals, we are<br />
able to offer innovative and creative ideas, to meet with clients brief and aspirations.<br />
Jr Buckett & Son Office, New Rd, Brighstone, Newport PO30 4BP Tel: 01983 740262<br />
info@jrbuckettandsons.com www.jrbuckettandsons.com
Charnwood Cove Charnwood 3 Cove 3<br />
Extraordinary stoves. Made on the Isle of Wight, sold worldwide.<br />
5YEARS<br />
01983 537780 • @charnwoodstoves • www.charnwood.com<br />
Extraordinary stoves. Made on the Isle of Wight, sold worldwide.<br />
5YEARS<br />
01983 537780 • @charnwoodstoves • www.charnwood.com<br />
charnwood<br />
charnwood<br />
harnwood 270x208SOW2023.indd 1 24/08/2023 14:38:48
Wight Pup Paradise<br />
There are plenty of reasons to move to the Isle of Wight, but for those with a<br />
beloved canine companion, there’s the added allure of sandy beaches, muddy<br />
fields, and woodland rambles to explore!
Dogs and the countryside - the two<br />
just go hand-in-hand - so it’s no<br />
wonder the staff at <strong>BCM</strong> are as<br />
passionate about their four-legged friends<br />
as they are about their rural properties.<br />
Consultant Jade Davies is the perfect<br />
example - not only is she one of the<br />
valued team members at <strong>BCM</strong>, but<br />
she and her ‘best friend’ Isla enjoy<br />
competing in the dog showing world<br />
including Crufts.<br />
“Dog owners and their pets love living in<br />
the countryside,” says Jade. “Very often,<br />
when showing prospective buyers around<br />
some of the amazing rural properties<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> sell, the subject of pets comes<br />
up in conversation. I’m always happy<br />
to explain that the Island has miles of<br />
multi-use paths for dog-walking, stunning<br />
beaches where dogs are free to run offlead,<br />
and plenty of other dog-friendly<br />
locations.”<br />
Perhaps one of the biggest canine<br />
draws the Island offers are the miles<br />
and miles of off-lead beaches - the<br />
locals all know the best stretches of sand<br />
where well-behaved dogs are welcome<br />
throughout the year. Brook Chine is a<br />
popular one for pooches to enjoy in the<br />
summer, as well as the cooler months,<br />
as it’s not usually too busy. Lengths of<br />
multicoloured sand, gentle waves, and<br />
the occasional floating seal - there’s no<br />
shortage of interesting things to explore<br />
down here for both humans and their<br />
furry friends.<br />
Steephill Cove is another local secret that<br />
sits along the south Wight coast, perfect<br />
for dogs on leads. A quieter version of<br />
the buzzing Ventnor waterfront, which<br />
is just a short stroll away, Steephill Cove<br />
is accessed after a pleasant walk through<br />
Flowers Brook. Don’t forget to look<br />
behind you at the sweeping views of the<br />
coastline before you discover the lovely<br />
cafés that line Steephill Cove - they’re<br />
all willing to offer a thirsty pooch a bowl<br />
of water along with a delicious treat for<br />
pups and pup parents alike.<br />
Local pooches based on the east of the<br />
Island have no shortage of places to<br />
explore year-round, either. The expansive<br />
sands of Yaverland Beach allow a<br />
generous stretch of the legs, and the<br />
rock pools along St Helens Duver are<br />
the perfect place for a splash. The lovely<br />
boardwalk along Priory Bay feels like<br />
taking a quick trip Down Under, while<br />
if it’s a journey to the Med you and your<br />
pup are craving, try Colwell Bay over in<br />
West Wight.<br />
Fur babies lucky enough to live the<br />
Island’s rural dream have more to explore<br />
than sand and sea, however. Woodland<br />
wanderings offer a wonderful alternative<br />
to wet walks along the beach and locals<br />
42<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
A Dog’s Day Out<br />
and their pets love the 500 miles of<br />
footpaths stretching over the Island.<br />
From hiking through the evergreen forest<br />
of Firestone Copse to cliff-top rambles<br />
around the Coastal Path (although<br />
a lead is recommended for safety),<br />
wandering over Tennyson Down, or<br />
letting pooch jump through the bluebells<br />
in Borthwood Copse - there’s a never<br />
ending smorgasbord of nature’s delights<br />
that local pups have daily access to.<br />
If it’s a dog’s day out you’re after, the<br />
astute pup will love their daily regal walk<br />
around the grounds of Osborne House<br />
or Carisbrooke Castle where dogs on<br />
leads are welcome all year. Or take your<br />
pup for a unique journey as you puff<br />
through the countryside on the Island<br />
Steam Railway. And when it’s time for a<br />
rest, many paw-friendly pubs and cafés<br />
are strewn around the Island, often<br />
conveniently nestled on the beaches or<br />
bridle paths you’ve just ambled along.<br />
Grab a bite by the river at Harvey<br />
Brown’s as you wander the Sandown to<br />
Newport cycle path or try a sandwich at<br />
Off the Rails in Yarmouth to break up<br />
your walk along the banks of the River<br />
Yar.<br />
The Island is also lucky enough to have<br />
its own Isle of Wight Canine Association<br />
Club for those locals who want to turn<br />
their love of dogs into some friendly<br />
competition. They offer ringcraft training<br />
weekly, with monthly matches and<br />
open shows throughout the year. The<br />
club trainers and committee members<br />
give their time, training, and expertise<br />
on a voluntary basis. With over 80<br />
members, the club is a wonderfully active<br />
community, supporting various dog<br />
breeds from across the Island.<br />
So, if the checklist for your forever<br />
home includes sandy beaches, miles of<br />
bridleways, acres of open fields, and a<br />
wonderful canine community, the Island<br />
might be the perfect place for you and<br />
your pooch. Contact <strong>BCM</strong> for more<br />
information on making the move for you<br />
and your ‘best friend’.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
Pets and animals are an integral part of Island life - as such we are lucky to<br />
enjoy a wealth of venues and attractions that are accommodating to all our<br />
family members.<br />
Top 10 Beaches<br />
There are miles and miles of rolling sands perfect for dogs on the Island.<br />
Some welcome pups all year, while others only during the cooler months.<br />
Welcome dogs all year round:<br />
Alum Bay, Totland, Yaverland Beach, Sandown Bembridge Beach,<br />
Seagrove Bay, Seaview, Steephill Cove, Ventnor<br />
Welcome dogs in the cooler months (October to April):<br />
Ventnor Beach, Ryde Beach, Gurnard Beach,<br />
Colwell Bay, Springvale Beach, Seaview<br />
Canine Cafes<br />
Blueberry’s Cafe, Shanklin<br />
For a canine coffee with one of the best views on the Island<br />
Grazer’s Cafe at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary<br />
55 acres to explore, lots of gorgeous donkeys and<br />
the new dog menu<br />
Harvey Brown’s Food Experience, Arreton<br />
On a sunny day, if a bench by the river and a delicious cappuccino<br />
are all you and your pup need, you’ll find it here<br />
Pedallers Cafe, Newchurch<br />
The perfect spot for a cuppa after a long walk through the<br />
countryside, pups and muddy boots are always welcome<br />
Cafe Verdi, Yarmouth<br />
Fort Victoria Country Park is perfect for pooches and<br />
Cafe Verdi is perfect for a rest and a delicious pick-me-up<br />
Days Out with Dogs<br />
Osborne House - the Royals are known as dog lovers and<br />
Queen Victoria’s seaside palace is no different<br />
(dogs aren’t allowed inside the buildings)<br />
Carisbrooke Castle - pups will love exploring the last<br />
place King Charles I was imprisoned!<br />
Isle of Wight Steam Railway - fancy a ride on a steam train? The ‘UK<br />
Heritage Railway of the Year’ welcomes well-behaved<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong><br />
dogs<br />
<strong>2024</strong>on a 43 lead.
Andover, Hampshire<br />
COUNCIL TAX: N/A EPC: 1 and 2 Valley Farm Bungalows both have “E” EPC ratings TENURE: Freehold<br />
Highly attractive pasture and arable farm in the glorious Bourne Valley with three ranges of traditional farm buildings<br />
with development potential (STPP). Extending to approximately 157.70 hectares (389.69 acres) in total.<br />
44<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
SOLD<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 45
The <strong>BCM</strong> Touch at Tapnell<br />
The family’s overriding ethos is maximum enjoyment with minimum impact on the environment.<br />
With the help of <strong>BCM</strong>’s<br />
expertise in planning<br />
applications, Yarmouth’s<br />
Tapnell Farm has spent the last 10 years<br />
developing from a family-run dairy<br />
farm to an award-winning ecotourism<br />
destination. Run by the Turney family for<br />
over 40 years, the property used to be one<br />
of the biggest dairy farms on the Isle of<br />
Wight, with over 800 cows producing an<br />
amazing 24,000 litres of wholesome milk<br />
every day.<br />
Today, Tapnell Farm is still family-run,<br />
by brothers-in-law Tom Turney & Tom<br />
Honeyman-Brown. It is home to an<br />
array of facilities, including the Island’s<br />
only aqua park and football golf course,<br />
target sports and the Cow Restaurant &<br />
Bar. The breadth of facilities on offer at<br />
Tapnell is unique for the UK, and it’s all<br />
situated in an incredible location with<br />
space to roam, amazing sea views, and<br />
stunning sunsets.<br />
Tom Honeyman-Brown credits <strong>BCM</strong><br />
with helping the Turney family develop<br />
the property into the leading ‘green’<br />
tourism destination it has become. “We<br />
have been working with <strong>BCM</strong> over many<br />
years now on planning applications<br />
site-wide,” he says. “They are a vastly<br />
knowledgeable and experienced team<br />
who manage and deliver on every aspect<br />
of what is required, from design and<br />
layouts, surveys and environmental<br />
impacts, to detailed plans.”<br />
Over subsequent years the farm has been<br />
transformed and sustainability is at the<br />
heart of everything, whether it’s taking<br />
water from the borehole to supply the<br />
farm and accommodation, using the<br />
sun to make electricity for surrounding<br />
homes, powering their heating systems<br />
with their biomass boiler, or growing<br />
over 30 acres of new woodland and<br />
hedgerows. The family’s overriding ethos<br />
is maximum enjoyment with minimum<br />
impact on the environment.<br />
The farm’s luxury glamping portfolio<br />
offers guests a choice between safari<br />
tents, modulogs, wood cabins, eco pods,<br />
geodesic domes, farm cottages, a large<br />
country manor house, or the awardwinning<br />
Tom’s Eco Lodge, so there is a<br />
bed to suit everyone and every occasion.<br />
This vast array of accommodation styles<br />
has certainly been helped along by the<br />
advice and guidance of the experts at<br />
<strong>BCM</strong>. Tom says, “From start to finish,<br />
the team at <strong>BCM</strong> has not only been easy<br />
to work with but proactive, and not shy<br />
of putting forward suggestions to help<br />
further improve our offer.”<br />
It has taken many years for the property<br />
to grow into the stunning rural idyll it<br />
now is. The first step in Tapnell Farm’s<br />
diversification from a dairy farm took<br />
place in 2012 with the opening of<br />
Tom’s Eco Lodge – the first of its kind<br />
glamping experience on the Island<br />
The accommodation was<br />
purpose-built to have minimum impact<br />
46<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
on the environment. The materials<br />
used were predominantly wood and<br />
natural canvas, and the safari tents<br />
(previously known as lodges) sit on raised<br />
decking, reducing the impact on the<br />
land. ‘Sustainability is at the heart of<br />
everything we do’ is the family’s constant<br />
and enduring ethos (echoed by most in<br />
the farming community). The belief that<br />
each generation passes onto the next –<br />
the farm, land, property, and business<br />
– in better health than when they started<br />
is evident in their approach to every<br />
development they make.<br />
And it doesn’t end there. The Turney<br />
family has plenty more plans for<br />
Tapnell Farm.<br />
“We are currently working<br />
with <strong>BCM</strong> on delivering<br />
exciting projects for <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Working with <strong>BCM</strong>, we feel<br />
we are in safe hands.”<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 47
Quarley, Hampshire<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band G EPC: E<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
SOLD<br />
An attractive, 5 bedroom family home with a 1 bedroom annexe set within a peaceful location surrounded by<br />
open countryside. The property is presented in extremely good condition throughout and sits within a large and<br />
private south-facing garden.<br />
48<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
Rowborough Manor<br />
Brading, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: B and G EPC: G House (D) Studio (B) TENURE: Freehold GUIDE PRICE: £949,950<br />
A well-appointed Manor House mentioned in the Domesday book which has undergone major<br />
refurbishment, complemented by a studio, vegetable garden and paddock. In all, extending to 1.65 acres.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 49
Upham, Southampton<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Main House (B and G) Dairy Cottage (B and B)<br />
EPC: Main House (D), Dairy Cottage (D) Stable Annexe (E) TENURE: Freehold<br />
A stunning family home with beautiful views, forming part of an extensive courtyard of buildings with an<br />
excellent four bedroom cottage all set in the South Downs National Park.<br />
Summary of accommodation: Main House: Reception hall, Entertainment barn with open-plan dining, sitting<br />
and bar area, sitting room, open-plan kitchen/breakfast room back kitchen, study, utility room, boot room, store,<br />
three cloakrooms, main bedroom with en-suite shower/bathroom and dressing room, four further<br />
double bedrooms, two en suite shower rooms, family bathroom.<br />
Dairy Cottage: Kitchen/sitting room, Utility room, Three/four bedrooms, Two shower rooms, Cloakroom<br />
Stable Block: Flat with sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, shower room, three/four stables/kennels, tack/laundry<br />
room, a 12,000 square foot, modern storage barn offering great versatility. Outdoor swimming pool, bbq bothy<br />
beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds, wildlife pond, paddocks.<br />
In all about 7.02 acres<br />
50<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
UNDER<br />
<strong>OF</strong>FER<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 51
Park House<br />
Hambledon<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Park House (H) Park Cottage (B and E) EPC: Park House (E) Park Cottage (E)<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £4,000,000<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
Park House is built on the site of the keeper’s house of a medieval deer park. A historic home dating back to<br />
the 13th century, Park House is very much fit for the 21st century with a lovely contemporary feel inside,<br />
cleverly fused with the period heritage and a high level of interior design. It is rare to find such an old house in<br />
such good order. The house has a striking classical appearance with mainly brick and flint elevations. With<br />
such an historic pedigree, the house is full of character with four particularly well-proportioned reception<br />
rooms, many lovely sash windows providing plenty of light inside and views from the first and second floors.<br />
In all about 2.5 Acres<br />
52<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 53
Planning and Developments<br />
Residential Barn<br />
Conversion<br />
Glamping<br />
New Dwelling<br />
54<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
NOTES:<br />
This drawing is the copyright of Miles Blamire Ltd. It may not be copied, altered or reproduced without written<br />
consent. The use of this drawing by third parties is entirely at their own risk.<br />
The drawing must not be scaled. All levels and dimensions must be checked on site , figured dimensions must<br />
be checked on site, figured dimensions should be taken in preference to scaled dimensions.<br />
It is the Clients responsibility to read and comply with conditions imposed by Planning or Building Regulations<br />
Approvals associated with these plans, including agreeing materials and finishes with planners prior to<br />
commencement.<br />
Materials :<br />
- Specialised Brick slip external cladding - as indicated<br />
- Aluminium 'oxidized' Perforated Screen<br />
- Black powder coated Aluminium Glazing<br />
- Dark stained Timber decking and matching screens<br />
- Green Roof<br />
FOREST HOUSE<br />
CGI's<br />
FEB 2022<br />
Our chartered town planning consultants are able to provide advice on a wide range<br />
of projects including residential, commercial, tourism, rural developments and<br />
diversification, renewable energy, appeals and certificates.<br />
Here we’ve shared some of our more recent work from last year highlighting our diverse<br />
knowledge range and client base.<br />
For further information contact: David Long, Partner Design and Planning<br />
on 01983 828 800 or email dlong@bcm.co.uk<br />
Residential<br />
Development<br />
Lodge Park<br />
Replacement<br />
VIEW FROM<br />
Dwelling<br />
FROM WOODLAND<br />
PROJECT<br />
TITLE<br />
SCALE<br />
DRW NO<br />
DATE<br />
Tourism Pods<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 55
Nodewell Farmhouse<br />
Totland Bay, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: D EPC: D TENURE: Freehold GUIDE PRICE: £545,000<br />
A wonderful semi-detached three bedroom house, situated in the rural outskirts of Totland Bay. Nodewell<br />
Farmhouse also benefits from a separate recently constructed annexe, within the garden. In all, the property<br />
extends to 0.16 acres.<br />
56<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
SOLD<br />
Hambledon, Hampshire<br />
COUNCIL TAX: H EPC: D<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
A classical period farmhouse in an unspoilt rural location set in wonderful<br />
mature garden and grounds.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 57
Market Update <strong>2024</strong>:<br />
Isle of Wight<br />
Farms, Farmland<br />
and Woodland<br />
Written by James Attrill, Partner, Rural Consultancy<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> operate at the heart of the rural economy and manage, develop, let, buy<br />
and sell land assets for clients year in year out. Here we look at how the market<br />
is performing.<br />
The last two years have seen farmland prices strengthen to levels above the last<br />
peak of 2012. Despite the headwinds of Basic Payment erosion and higher interest<br />
rates, prices have held well. Positive planning changes – particularly for Permitted<br />
Development under Class Q – have added value to farm buildings in the right<br />
position/condition. While the frenzy of the immediate post-Covid market has calmed<br />
a little, residential values remain above pre-Covid levels and quality farmhouses,<br />
manors and cottages still attract good figures.<br />
Buyers continue to come from both the Island and beyond. Our Hampshire and<br />
Oxfordshire offices have been busy with farm and land sales. With shortage of supply<br />
across the South/South West more mainland buyers are looking at the Island as a<br />
place to invest. While banks are still ready to lend to land purchasers, seeing farms<br />
and land as lower risk security, many purchasers are now cash driven. Demand, as<br />
ever, is from mixed sources – farmers, private investors, amenity and environmental.<br />
The Government has pressed on with the legal framework for nitrate/phosphate/<br />
biodiversity off-setting; this has created an active market with pent-up demand<br />
from developers seeking these off-setting credits, coupled with the back drop<br />
of decarbonisation and corporate investors looking to satisfy ESG goals. These<br />
new markets offer considerable scope to bolster land values, especially for the<br />
less productive parcels with latent scope to generate off-set credits. We are seeing<br />
significant buyer interest in land as an investment fuelled by future environmental<br />
income streams.<br />
Land supply remains historically static and those choosing to step down from in-hand<br />
farming are often happy not to sell and remain in situ looking at tenancy or contract<br />
farming agreements to help retain IHT status. Interest rate sentiment is improving,<br />
particularly for long-term fixed rates which often support land purchase lending.<br />
Looking at <strong>2024</strong> and into 2025 we see no significant reason for a downturn in these<br />
markets – indeed in a globally uncertain world land and farms have always been seen<br />
as a ‘safe haven’. A buoyant farm and land market in the Southern Counties will<br />
continue to push more buyers to look at investing in the Island.<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> have a depth of expertise in this market and understand local conditions. We<br />
can add value by recognising latent assets such as development potential or natural<br />
capital assets. We know who is in the market to buy and what they want. If you would<br />
like a free valuation of your holding to review your options, we would be glad to help.<br />
58<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 59
60<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
LET<br />
Whitchurch, Hampshire<br />
In all over 6,500 square feet/ 610 square metres.<br />
A stunning, 5-bedroom barn conversion with ancillary accommodation, enjoying<br />
a beautiful rural location with far reaching views. The property has just been<br />
renovated and is presented in exceptional condition throughout.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 61
The Tiny Homes Movement<br />
The tiny homes movement has<br />
been gaining momentum in the<br />
United States for a while now,<br />
but it is still a relatively new concept for<br />
many people in Britain. Not so for Helen<br />
Cunningham, who has been trailblazing<br />
her way across the Isle of Wight holiday<br />
rental scene for years now.<br />
She started with a holiday offering of<br />
American-style Airstream caravans<br />
in one of the UK’s first glamping<br />
businesses, Vintage Vacations, and Helen<br />
says the experience of renting out tiny<br />
homes seemed a natural progression<br />
from this. “After trading in ‘small space’<br />
accommodation for many years it seemed<br />
natural to us to take the glamping vibe<br />
forward. By their very nature, glamping<br />
businesses are temporary, and we wanted<br />
to create a more permanent holiday<br />
offer, suitable year-round with strong<br />
green credentials. By doing this, we have<br />
created a more holistic offer for the Island<br />
– especially with the on-site studio where<br />
all kinds of retreats, workshops and<br />
‘studycations’ take place. Having now<br />
been open since 2017, the development<br />
has bedded in very well and has a serene<br />
atmosphere perfect for these kinds of<br />
activities.”<br />
Being a new concept on the Island,<br />
however, meant tackling a rather tricky<br />
planning application. So how did Helen<br />
feel about this (often stressful) necessity?<br />
Like a true professional, she doesn’t seem<br />
to have been worried at all: “Having<br />
worked with <strong>BCM</strong> on a previous ‘niche<br />
tourism’ project,” she explains, “we<br />
knew that the team would completely<br />
understand what we were trying to<br />
achieve. <strong>BCM</strong> held our hands all the way,<br />
offering good advice on how to handle<br />
everything. They helped us tailor our<br />
ideas into a scheme that would please<br />
the planning department, and even<br />
suggested what materials to use in the<br />
build. The application eventually had to<br />
go to committee because we had quite<br />
62<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
a few objections, but <strong>BCM</strong> staff have an<br />
invaluable knowledge of all the relevant<br />
processes and helped us negotiate the<br />
situation. They also have an excellent<br />
address book and were able to direct us<br />
to relevant professionals for things like<br />
wildlife surveys, etc.”<br />
All these pitfalls were negotiated, and<br />
Tiny Homes Holidays has been running<br />
successfully now since 2017. Looking<br />
back over the last few years, Helen talks<br />
about how her small space offering has<br />
benefited the Island and why everyone<br />
is talking about downsizing. Her passion<br />
for the idea is obvious: “The Tiny Home<br />
‘Movement’ was born out of a quest for a<br />
life lived differently – the idea of radically<br />
downsizing living space to escape the<br />
‘work, eat, sleep, repeat’ routine. A tiny<br />
home offers just that – simpler living<br />
in a smaller, more efficient space. It’s a<br />
world away from the consumer-driven<br />
‘executive mansion’. Downsizing your<br />
space can upsize your free time. Living<br />
slowly and simply also appeals to those<br />
who want to tread lightly on the planet<br />
and who value wellness and a sustainable<br />
environment.<br />
“I think the thing I love most about our<br />
tiny homes has to be how each one has a<br />
unique design and ambience. Nothing we<br />
have here is off the peg and they were all<br />
individually designed by architect Keith<br />
Cunningham. Guests really appreciate<br />
this as well as the attention to detail.<br />
In fact, many come back again to try a<br />
different one!”<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 63
Land and New Homes<br />
64<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
<strong>BCM</strong> are specialists in all property matters and we have<br />
recently grown our Land and New Homes department<br />
with the recent addition of Jamie Busby.<br />
Jamie works alongside David Long, Thomas Dawson<br />
and James Attrill carrying out development feasibilities<br />
for our wide landowning client base.<br />
Over the last year, <strong>BCM</strong>, have sold more residential<br />
development sites than any other agent – mostly<br />
off-market to our pool of buyers. Should you wish to<br />
discuss your project with any of the <strong>BCM</strong> Team, please<br />
do contact us on 01983 828800.<br />
All images on these pages are CGI<br />
(Computer Generated Graphics)<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 65
• BOILERS & HEATING EQUIPMENT<br />
• PUMPS<br />
• WARM AIR FILTERS<br />
• RADIANT TUBE HEATERS<br />
• RADIANT PLAQUE HEATERS<br />
• HOT WATER SYSTEMS<br />
• VENTILATION<br />
• CATERING<br />
• LAUNDRY<br />
• PLUMBING
promotional feature<br />
A Nod<br />
to the Past<br />
With an ethos that focuses on growing chemical-free produce using traditional methods, Fanny’s Farm Shop & Nurseries<br />
in Freshwater is leading the way when it comes to sustainable Island fruits and vegetables, and their produce speaks<br />
for itself.<br />
A relative newbie on the Island<br />
agriculture scene, Fanny’s Farm Shop &<br />
Nurseries has only been open since July<br />
2022, but owner Nicola Briggs certainly<br />
knows what she’s doing. She comes<br />
from a long line of Island horticulture<br />
royalty, namely Great Grandmother<br />
Fanny (the shop’s namesake) and her<br />
Grandmother who were both esteemed<br />
market gardeners on the Island. Drawing<br />
inspiration from their ancestral practices,<br />
Nicola now employs traditional<br />
companion planting techniques and<br />
seaweed enrichment to nurture crops.<br />
Spanning 3.5 acres, the site is dedicated<br />
to cultivating various soft fruits, including<br />
blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries,<br />
raspberries and blueberries, as well as<br />
select vegetables. This rural farmer’s<br />
idyll is complete with chillies and<br />
watermelons growing in the polytunnel,<br />
and the entire offering will soon expand<br />
with the development of its very own<br />
orchard. “Our aim is to grow and sell<br />
produce with an emphasis on quality<br />
and taste whilst increasing the range<br />
of foods,” Nicola explains. “This I feel<br />
is something that has been lost with<br />
the passage of time and the need for<br />
increased productivity and efficiency.”<br />
Beyond fresh soft fruits, the farm also<br />
produces its own honey and a range<br />
of jams and chutneys. The honey is<br />
a wonderful example of symbiosis in<br />
operation - the hives onsite increase the<br />
pollination of the soft fruits, while also<br />
providing a supply of raw honey to sell<br />
in the shop. Nature moving full circle.<br />
It’s not just traditional growing methods<br />
that inspire Nicola, however. She is also<br />
dedicated to supporting local farmers<br />
and producers by selling Isle of Wight<br />
produce exclusively in the shop. Nicola<br />
explains that the company exists ‘from<br />
the Island for the Island’, and the<br />
business’s commitment to promoting<br />
local agricultural heritage is obvious.<br />
Fanny’s original farm, like many<br />
others on the Island, has been lost<br />
to housing, and the Island’s once<br />
almost self-sufficient agricultural and<br />
horticultural heritage has largely been<br />
eliminated. This has happened through<br />
globalisation, mechanisation and the<br />
increasing demand for efficiency, with<br />
price-driven decisions affecting the<br />
quality and diversity of the food we<br />
eat. With the dedication of growers<br />
like Nicola and new shops and farmers<br />
markets like Fanny’s opening up, this<br />
corporate takeover may be something we<br />
can leave behind.<br />
Fanny’s Farm Shop & Nurseries<br />
Hill Ln, Norton Green, Freshwater PO40 9TQ<br />
Phone: 07514 096 455<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 67
Swirl How<br />
Merstone, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: D EPC: D TENURE: Freehold <strong>OF</strong>FERS IN EXCESS <strong>OF</strong>: £425,000<br />
Swirl How is an attractive property situated in the rural hamlet of Merstone. The property includes a detached<br />
house with delightful garden and useful adjoining garage, in all extending to 0.12 acres.<br />
68<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
promotional feature<br />
Why Organic Certification<br />
matters to The Garlic Farm<br />
The Garlic Farm welcomes visitors to its Farm Shop, Restaurant, Holiday Accommodation and Events as well as creating<br />
a huge range of garlicky produce and products available online. The original bones and beating heart of the business is<br />
the farming activity which, over the past five years, has undergone some fundamental changes to achieve Soil Association<br />
Organic Certification. This is part of a concerted effort by the passionate team to improve societal and environmental impact.<br />
The Soil Association<br />
Organic Certification<br />
process is governed by<br />
legal standards and<br />
regular inspections to ensure the<br />
farming process delivers health to<br />
people, animals, wildlife, society and<br />
the natural world. The official definition<br />
does a good job of summing up the<br />
rationale for this approach:<br />
‘Organic Agriculture is a production<br />
system that sustains the health of soils,<br />
ecosystems and people.’<br />
A shift away from the use of inputs with<br />
adverse effects, to cyclic, biodiverse<br />
ecological systems could simply describe<br />
a return to pre-industrial farming as<br />
much as it does the components of<br />
Organic certification. Good farming<br />
is good farming, whatever labels are<br />
attached. And the team here are<br />
constantly learning from the huge<br />
experience of local land workers on<br />
both sides of the certification fence.<br />
Organic farming, with 100% pastureraised,<br />
outwintered livestock integrated<br />
within the garlic rotation are the chosen<br />
practices of the family and team at<br />
The Garlic Farm. With the local help<br />
of good farmers, some of the challenges<br />
of this Organic system are delivering<br />
good outcomes… and some are still<br />
work in progress!<br />
The farm team invite you to visit, walk<br />
the fields and explore their journey into<br />
nature. Tradition, innovation, science,<br />
and garlic are all at play. Lunch is pretty<br />
good too.<br />
FARM SHOP | RESTAURANT |<br />
HOLIDAYS | ORDER ONLINE<br />
WWW.THEGARLICFARM.CO.UK<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 69
Meet the new team at The Hambrough Restaurant<br />
Let them take you on a culinary journey<br />
through the seasons<br />
Meet the new team at<br />
The Hambrough Restaurant<br />
Let them take you on<br />
a culinary Secret journey Garden<br />
through Opening the seasons Soon<br />
Lunch : 12:30 till 2:30pm Wednesday to Saturday<br />
Dinner : 6pm till 8:45pm Tuesday to Saturday<br />
Lounge Bar : <br />
Open from 11am daily<br />
Restaurant Open<br />
for Special Sundays<br />
Ventnor, PO38 1SQ 01983 856333 www.thehambrough.com<br />
HALE MANOR FARM, HALE COMMON,<br />
ARRETON, NEWPORT, PO30 3AR<br />
TEL: 01983 527530<br />
HARVEYBROWNS.CO.UK<br />
OPEN: 8AM - 6PM & 9AM - 4PM SUNDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS
The Lakehouse<br />
Bathingbourne, Isle of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: Band F EPC: B TENURE: Freehold GUIDE PRICE: £1,000,000<br />
The Lakehouse is a stunning and secluded property, situated within the hamlet of Bathingbourne. The property<br />
includes a 2700 sq. ft energy efficient home with potential annexe, two large fishing lakes, grounds and gardens,<br />
separate paddock, and woodland, in all extending to just under 4.5 acres. An additional paddock of 1 acre<br />
available by separate negotiation.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 71
Billingham Manor<br />
Grange Kennels and Cattery<br />
Newport,<br />
Chillerton,<br />
Isle of<br />
Isle<br />
Wight<br />
of Wight<br />
COUNCIL TAX: B and F (Main house) B and A (Annexe) EPC: D (Main house) D (Annexe) TENURE: Freehold<br />
GUIDE: £500,000 to £600,00<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £949,950<br />
An attractive residential and commercial holding situated in a sought-after location, just 10 minutes from<br />
Newport. The property includes a substantial detached house, with separate self-contained annexe, with the<br />
kennels and cattery business as well as grass paddocks, in allextending to 5.01 acres<br />
72<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 73
74<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
Charnwood Stoves:<br />
Answering Burning Questions<br />
Around Stoves<br />
and the Environment<br />
Close to the banks of the River Medina sits A. J. Wells & Sons — the oldest manufacturer of woodburning<br />
stoves in Britain. Founded in 1972 (and now run by the second and third generations of the<br />
family), the company’s stylish range of Charnwood Stoves are made right here on the Isle of Wight and<br />
the company employs well over 150 people.<br />
Are wood-burning stoves bad for<br />
the environment?<br />
Outdated older models tend to be less<br />
efficient, producing more carbon and<br />
harmful particulates which are bad<br />
for air quality. However, newer, more<br />
modern stoves, like our Eco Design<br />
Ready models, burn much more cleanly,<br />
producing up to 66% fewer emissions.<br />
At Charnwood, we take our<br />
responsibility for the environment<br />
seriously and we were amongst the first<br />
manufacturers to develop ultraclean<br />
burn technology and to achieve<br />
compliance with the 2022 Eco Design<br />
Regulations. We’re also proud to say<br />
that the majority of our stoves achieve<br />
Level 5 in the Stove Industry Alliance’s<br />
clearSkies certification — the highest<br />
ranking available.<br />
Does the fuel you use in your stove<br />
affect emissions?<br />
Yes. The most efficient fuel type to use is<br />
dried wood with a moisture content of<br />
less than 20%. When buying logs, look<br />
out for the ‘Ready to Burn’ label on bags<br />
to know they meet that criterion. Wet<br />
wood and coal are much more harmful<br />
for the environment, and both were<br />
banned from sale for use in domestic<br />
stoves in May 2021, a move Charnwood<br />
welcomed.<br />
Could wood burning ever become<br />
a carbon-neutral process?<br />
If wood has been dried and is burnt<br />
correctly, it could potentially become<br />
carbon neutral. Whether the wood is<br />
burnt in a stove or decays naturally in<br />
a forest, it releases the same amount of<br />
carbon into the atmosphere. This can be<br />
balanced out by the amount of carbon<br />
the tree absorbs from the air during its<br />
lifespan.<br />
Talk us through the eco-credentials<br />
of one of your stoves<br />
Let’s take the Bay 5 BX, one of our more<br />
sleek and contemporary models. It’s<br />
certified Eco Design Ready by the Stove<br />
Industry Alliance (SIA) and includes<br />
Cleanburn Airwash Technology which<br />
controls and directs incoming airflow to<br />
increase burn efficiency. It’s been rated<br />
A+ for energy efficiency and burns dry<br />
wood so cleanly it can even be used in<br />
areas where DEFRA have put smoke<br />
controls in place.<br />
Made on the Isle of Wight from plate<br />
steel, cast iron and ceramic glass, the<br />
stove is also fully recyclable (as is the<br />
packaging) and, because the majority<br />
of components are modular, they can<br />
be replaced if or when they wear out,<br />
extending the stove’s life too.<br />
A.J. Wells & Sons<br />
Bishops Way, Newport PO30 5WS<br />
www.ajwells.co.uk<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 75
Our Island<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> are pleased to sponsor a number of events on the Island each year which we<br />
enjoy attending to meet both new and existing clients.<br />
Here are a few of the events we sponsor including the Isle of Wight Ploughing<br />
Match, Homes & Interior Show, Ventnor Cricket Club, South Island Sevens and<br />
the I.W. LitFeast Festival. Should you have an event that you believe might be of interest<br />
to us, please contact our Practice Manager Stacey Attrill-Butler on 01983 828800.<br />
Homes & Interior Show<br />
The Style of Wight Homes &<br />
Interiors Show took place in<br />
October 2023, and the <strong>BCM</strong> staff<br />
were there with advice for visitors.<br />
IW County Show<br />
Ploughing Match<br />
Sheepdog Trials<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> staff tore it up at 2023’s Ploughing Match,<br />
which takes place each year in Chale. This is a great<br />
event where local farmers show off their skills and<br />
visitors can browse amongst the trade stalls or grab a<br />
delicious bite to eat.<br />
76<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
South Island Sevens<br />
The <strong>BCM</strong> team love where they work. As part of our continuing<br />
pledge to volunteer our time to the local community, the Isle of<br />
Wight office has been litter picking along our beautiful coastline<br />
and public footpaths.<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> sponsors several Island-based<br />
sporting matches - after all, who doesn’t<br />
love a bit of healthy competition?<br />
Ventnor CC<br />
LitFeast<br />
Chef Robert Thompson MBE and wine<br />
connoisseur Helen McGinn both spoke at<br />
the <strong>BCM</strong>-sponsored LitFeast festival.<br />
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
email: sales@bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>BCM</strong> <strong>JOURNAL</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 77
1 North Lane<br />
South Harting, Petersfield<br />
GUIDE PRICE: £650,000 COUNCIL TAX: Band F EPC: G<br />
TENURE: Freehold<br />
Originally two cottages, 1 North Lane is a very pretty semi-detached Grade II listed property in the centre of<br />
the conservation area of South Harting offering a versatile interior which could be reverted to two dwellings if<br />
required. A pretty bay window and exposed beams add charm to the sitting room and the open double doorway<br />
to the rear hall creates a sense of space. The snug has a large exposed stone fireplace and the kitchen has a good<br />
range of cupboards as well as a door to the courtyard garden. An excellent utility room completes the ground<br />
floor accommodation. Upstairs are four bedrooms and two bathrooms.<br />
78<br />
Isle of Wight Office<br />
Cheeks Farm, Merstone PO30 3DE<br />
Call: 01983 828 805
MEDIA SERVICES<br />
we will be<br />
your wingman<br />
take your business<br />
to new heights<br />
design | photography | publishing | marketing<br />
www.styleofwight.co.uk
www.bcm.co.uk<br />
<strong>ISLE</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>WIGHT</strong> • WINCHESTER • OXFORD • PETERSFIELD