Property Blog
25th July 2018
We extend our best wishes to Georgina Bush when she goes on maternity leave at the end of July, and at the same time welcome Mike Canby to the team to head up our farm and estate management work.
Mike has had extensive estate management experience in Dorset, and more recently Yorkshire, and joins us following his move to the Cotswolds with wife his Ella. Mike will be helping to further develop our Estate Management and Country House Consultancy.
As part of our planned expansion, following a number of years of increasing work, we also welcome Hennie Hargreaves, an RICS chartered surveyor and registered valuer, who joined us in May. Hennie will be working with Mike Canby,... more
20th July 2018
A verdant patchwork, rolling hills dotted with sheep, large open skies and the glorious golden stone that blends in to its landscape…Surely nowhere is more quintessentially English. It is one of the largest Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain. Lots of villages still have thriving cricket pitches, pubs, schools and churches. There is a vast selection of excellent schools both independent (including the prestigious Cheltenham Ladies' College) and state as well as... more
29th June 2018
Markets. Costs. Risk. Innovation. Diversification. Is your farm business ready for the challenges ahead?
Brexit is likely to accelerate change for all types and scale of farm businesses. To start helping farmers ensure their businesses are fit for the future Butler Sherborn can help by offering a free, no obligation visit to review objectives, key resources and to give some initial ideas to help maintain or strengthen your farm business for the future.
Find out more by downloading the brochure below.
26th June 2018
The Summer has most certainly now arrived in the Cotswolds and Butler Sherborn currently have a significant number of applicants eagerly looking for houses to rent. As a direct result of this spike in demand, we have prospective tenants that are ready and waiting to move into their next country property.
We have specific applicants actively looking for the following:
2 bedroom, high specification, period village cottages, or houses with rents in the region of £1,100-£1,300 per... more20th June 2018
Make the most of planning rules with our ‘5 Top Tips’
Over the last few years the government has repeated commitments to supporting the rural economy and to increasing the availability of housing nationally.
Recent governments have pushed forward planning policy which continues to provide potential opportunities to farmers and landowners. Despite the mixed results of this policy, it is clear from the government that it intends to support sustainable development in the countryside.
However, despite policy changes mooted or enacted... more
19th June 2018
Friends, connections and clients of Butler Sherborn gathered to view new works by the established artist, Lesley- Anne Doole in The Compton Gallery.
From pictures titled ‘Cosmic dog’ to ‘Guardian’, Lesley-Anne’s recent work is abstract and colourful. The subtle lighting revealed depth and power in her work. Jane Slemeck, who now runs The Gallery, has worked hard to offer an intimate and modern hanging space within the confines of an historic barn, set in one of the most beautiful valleys in The Cotswolds.’
14th June 2018
Butler Sherborn is delighted to be sponsoring Lesley- Anne Doole’s Private Exhibition on Friday 15th June at The Compton Gallery, Withington, GL54 4DE, and we welcome anybody who would like to join us for Drinks from 6pm.
Lesley- Anne is an established artist who has recently returned from living in Spain. This is her first exhibition in the UK for some years. All Lesley- Anne’s works can be seen on her web site and are available for sale prior to the... more
24th April 2018
After a long winter, the tardy arrival of Spring has brought with it a determination from buyers who remain frustrated at having failed to find the right house last year.
Brexit aside, and despite the ongoing political volatility, buyers seem to have decided that life has to go on.
This appears to be the case especially for those who live in the Cotswolds, as local buyers accounted for 61% of our purchasers in 2017.
However, buyers are understandably demanding... more
23rd April 2018
As we look towards Badminton in the first weekend of May, Ben Way, Head of Butler Sherborn Equestrian, has a number of young horses entered in the Burghley Young Event Classes for 4 and 5 year olds, held on Wednesday 2nd May.
Ben was due to run Galley Light at Badminton in the main 4* event. However, the atrocious weather recently has resulted in the cancellation of many early season events, hampering Galley Light's Badminton preparation. As a result, Ben has now rerouted, and is... more
23rd April 2018
Equestrian Properties: ‘Opportunities and Pitfalls’
Alongside my work as Head of Butler Sherborn’s Equestrian department, I also run a business competing event horses. The business ‘Team Way Eventing’ is based at home on the family farm in Warwickshire. My wife, Sarah, and I, compete around 30 horses for a number of different owners. Our horses range from 4 year olds, starting off their careers in the young horse classes, through to the older horses, which we compete at the very top... more
3rd April 2018
Hedges have been in the news recently for two reasons causing farmers challenges whether regard to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications or managing the extended hedge cutting rules.
BPS errors
As reported in last week’s Farmers Weekly, farmers have started to complete this year’s BPS claims and have noted serious errors in mapping data held in relation to their hedges. This year the RPA has introduced a new hedge layer which shows the location and length of hedges... more
29th March 2018
The Government has announced, via a Statement from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government that it is proposed that new regulations - The Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development (England) (Amendment) Oder 2018 will come into force on 6th April 2018. These new regulations particularly effecting permitted developments under ‘Class Q’ which relates to the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use.
This revised planning guidance... more
9th March 2018
Promote your property effectively in London at a dedicated Exhibition in Kensington, on Tuesday 17th April 2018. Conatct our offices for more information.
8th March 2018
Cheltenham Preview- Despite our main contender not being in the squad this year, we have our largest contingent heading to The Festival, with some exciting chances amongst them. Here is a little bit about each intended runner.
Gowiththeflow (below) - Grade 1 Albert Bartlett and Ballymore.
With Entries in both Grade 1 Novice Hurdles, this lovely horse is likely to go to the Albert Bartlett on the Friday of The Festival.
This smart recruit from the Irish Point to Point field has shown some impressive form this winter, and heads to The Festival off the back of a win up at Doncaster, after beating the Grade 2 runner at Paisley Park. He has some great form against the Nicky Henderson trained Mr... more
7th March 2018
There is a great amount to deal with on the death of a loved one. If property was owned by the deceased then this will need to be valued as part of the process to obtain a grant of probate.
In an attempt to make this process easier, we have compiled a short summary of answers to frequently asked questions, designed for family or executors.
Whilst obtaining a probate valuation is administratively important, it is vital to ensure proper co-ordination between valuer and tax advisors to ensure that valuations are properly considered and tax liabilities are mitigated where possible. This is something we do regularly for houses, farmland, estates and equestrian property. We... more
7th March 2018
The latest RICS/RAU Rural Land Market Survey for the second half of 2017 shows availability of farmland continuing to decline. The principle driver for this is political uncertainty, with the Brexit process being held largely responsible.
Demand for farmland has also eased back from the peak of the market in 2015, for much the same reasons.
“Against this fall in supply, demand now appears to be starting to stabilise, which can only be good news for sellers and buyers... more
8th February 2018
Senior Sales Negotiator (Full Time)
A superb opportunity within our growing agency department, for a dynamic and experienced sales negotiator.
An ambitious and focused individual to compliment the current team who provide an exceptional level of agency expertise and client care.
The successful applicant will have previous sales experience and demonstrate effective negotiation and management skills while achieving and exceeding monthly budgets and targets.
Responsibilities and Duties... more
6th February 2018
An ideal Cotswold family home on the edge of the village of Bledington with a self contained annexe, large garden and paddock
Little Close is a classic Cotswold property located on the edge of the very popular village of Bledington. Having been renovated and extended by the current owners Little Close now offers an extremely attractive and well configured family home, retaining many of the orginal period features throughout.
The property has open views over the surrounding countryside and private access onto a nearby footpath. Within the grounds is a self contained one bedroom annexe, ideal for use as a... more
30th January 2018
The UK economy and property market were demonstrably resilient in 2017, despite the first increase in the base rate for ten years and interminable Brexit negotiations.
Market extremes are, however, concealed within this overall assessment of the nation’s property markets. Substantial price inflation occurred in the West Midlands, whilst the central London property boom came to a juddering halt in 2017, with the first annual fall in prices since the financial crash in 2008. The Nationwide Building Society gave an annual fall of 0.5%.
It appears that the London residential market peaked in 2014, when the market roared ahead by 21%. It has since been... more
26th January 2018
The application window is now open and closes on 30th April 2018.
Farmers can apply for a one-off grant towards the restoration of a range of traditional boundaries including hedgerows, dry stone walls, stone-faced banks and earth banks. Payment rates are fixed for each item. These include hedge-laying or coppicing, hedgerow restoration through gapping-up, stone-faced bank repair and stone wall restoration, which can include a top wiring supplement.
It is important to note... more
