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Guide Price £495,000
Houghton Springs Fish Farm, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11
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Area
3Acres
General information
Houghton Springs Fish Farm is an established fish farm and hatchery located in Winterborne Houghton, extending to 3.5 acres (1.4 ha). The farm produces trout and arctic charr and is renowned for its genetic selection to produce in-house fast growing fish.
Location
The farm is situated on the edge of Winterborne Houghton village, approximately 6 miles from Blandford Forum, 16 miles from the town of Dorchester and 10 miles from the A35. The property is located near the head of the picturesque Winterborne Chalk Valley in the North Dorset AONB and the edge of the Blackmore Vale.
Houghton Springs Fish Farm
The current owners purchased the farm, occupying former watercress beds in 1986. The farm specialises in producing rainbow and arctic charr for both the table and restocking markets. Only farm in England to hold CEFAS status as Approved Compartment Global GAP QT (UK), Quality Trout (UK) and Freedom Food Certified.
The Farm
Extending to 3.5 acres (1.4 ha), the farm comprises a total of 28 concrete ponds supplied by artesian and pumped water from onsite boreholes providing an effective liquid oxygen supported recirculation system for the entire farm. The hatchery is located at the top of the farm which benefits from a RAS (Recirculated Aquaculture System). The water which passes through the concrete ponds into the Winterborne River which acts as an outflow only.
The farm benefits from a number of buildings:
Hatchery - A purpose built hatchery unit situated at the top of the farm with 22 raceways, 6 fibreglass fry troughs, egg incubator, digital MASKON egg sorting unit (not included in the sale) and egg packing area.
Pumphouse - supplying hatchery with water, biofilter air compressors and standby oxygen generator.
Feed store - with small office and cold store.
Mobile home - one-bedroom accommodation.
Stripping shed.
Old generator shed - housing services and gutting facilities.
Business
Originally established producing rainbow and brown trout primarily for the restocking market. For the last 18 years the farm has concentrated on improving the growth performance using unique forensic selection for the "Winterborne" rainbow strain in tandem with the only arctic charr production in England. The main products sold:
Sale of eyed trout eggs.
Rainbow fry and fingerlings for on-growing into table market and sporting.
Approximately 12 tonnes of arctic charr for the high end restaurant market.
Live deliveries to existing customers via the farm's own transport and for the table market both arctic charr and rainbows are delivered directly by courier to high end customers. For the year ending 2023 the turnover for the business was £248,500.
Abstraction Licenses
The farm has the benefit of artesian flow and water being pumped from onsite boreholes and the quantity of water which may be abstracted shall not exceed 1,152,000 gallons per day subject to a maximum of 211,200,000 gallons per annum.
Water analysis confirms the water as being of excellent quality both chemically and bacteriologically and the added benefit from minimum risk of pollution makes the water ideal for intensive production assisted by recirculation and oxygen. The borehole water has the added advantage of being at an almost constant temperature throughout the year of approximately 49f to 50f.
Employees
The farm currently employs two full time and one part time members of staff to run the farm, including the current owners. TUPE obligations will apply to the non-family members of staff.
Vehicle
Included within the sale of the business:
Mitsubishi L200 pick up truck 2017 with 31,000 miles.
Machinery & Equipment
The farm has a significant amount of machinery and equipment, including Liquid oxygen tank and 100kVA standby generator set in the sale together with the farm vehicle. A list of the main items is available from the vendor's agent.
The purchaser will be required to pay for all stock and feed on the farm on the date of completion, at valuation.
Standing stock, includes 3 generations of the Winterborne rainbow strain brookstock including Mix sex for potential Organic production. Genetics related data is Houghton Springs Property, held by Noahgene. (not included in the sale).
Owners Accommodation
A south facing detached bungalow constructed in 1980 of bradstone elevations under a concrete tiled roof. The accommodation comprises; a large kitchen/dining/sitting room, study, utility room, family bathroom and 3-bedrooms.
Annex
The eastern end of the bungalow has been converted into a self-contained annex providing kitchen/sitting room, 1-bedroom, shower room with an adjacent car port and garage/workshop.
Outside
The bungalow is approached over a gravel drive and has the benefit of a large lawned garden with shrub borders.
Land (as coloured green on the site plan)
Adjacent to the fish farm enjoying two separate access points is a pony paddock extending to 3.25 acres (1.3 ha) with a timber stable. This is available by separate negotiation.
Planning
The bungalow is subject to an agricultural occupancy condition.
Services
Mains water, mains electricity (single phase to the bungalow and 3 phase to the fish farm), private drainage system and 10 KW solar panel system on hatchery roof.
Energy Performance
Bungalow EPC E
Mobile Home EPC TBC
Council Tax payable 2023/2024
Bungalow Band E - £2,835.75
Mobile Home Band A - £1,484.33
Business Rates - £Nil
Property summary
Houghton Springs Fish Farm is an established fish farm and hatchery located in Winterborne Houghton, extending to 3.5 acres (1.4 ha). The farm produces trout and arctic charr and is renowned for its genetic selection to produce in-house fast growing fish.
Location
The farm is situated on the edge of Winterborne Houghton village, approximately 6 miles from Blandford Forum, 16 miles from the town of Dorchester and 10 miles from the A35. The property is located near the head of the picturesque Winterborne Chalk Valley in the North Dorset AONB and the edge of the Blackmore Vale.
Houghton Springs Fish Farm
The current owners purchased the farm, occupying former watercress beds in 1986. The farm specialises in producing rainbow and arctic charr for both the table and restocking markets. Only farm in England to hold CEFAS status as Approved Compartment Global GAP QT (UK), Quality Trout (UK) and Freedom Food Certified.
The Farm
Extending to 3.5 acres (1.4 ha), the farm comprises a total of 28 concrete ponds supplied by artesian and pumped water from onsite boreholes providing an effective liquid oxygen supported recirculation system for the entire farm. The hatchery is located at the top of the farm which benefits from a RAS (Recirculated Aquaculture System). The water which passes through the concrete ponds into the Winterborne River which acts as an outflow only.
The farm benefits from a number of buildings:
Hatchery - A purpose built hatchery unit situated at the top of the farm with 22 raceways, 6 fibreglass fry troughs, egg incubator, digital MASKON egg sorting unit (not included in the sale) and egg packing area.
Pumphouse - supplying hatchery with water, biofilter air compressors and standby oxygen generator.
Feed store - with small office and cold store.
Mobile home - one-bedroom accommodation.
Stripping shed.
Old generator shed - housing services and gutting facilities.
Business
Originally established producing rainbow and brown trout primarily for the restocking market. For the last 18 years the farm has concentrated on improving the growth performance using unique forensic selection for the "Winterborne" rainbow strain in tandem with the only arctic charr production in England. The main products sold:
Sale of eyed trout eggs.
Rainbow fry and fingerlings for on-growing into table market and sporting.
Approximately 12 tonnes of arctic charr for the high end restaurant market.
Live deliveries to existing customers via the farm's own transport and for the table market both arctic charr and rainbows are delivered directly by courier to high end customers. For the year ending 2023 the turnover for the business was £248,500.
Abstraction Licenses
The farm has the benefit of artesian flow and water being pumped from onsite boreholes and the quantity of water which may be abstracted shall not exceed 1,152,000 gallons per day subject to a maximum of 211,200,000 gallons per annum.
Water analysis confirms the water as being of excellent quality both chemically and bacteriologically and the added benefit from minimum risk of pollution makes the water ideal for intensive production assisted by recirculation and oxygen. The borehole water has the added advantage of being at an almost constant temperature throughout the year of approximately 49f to 50f.
Employees
The farm currently employs two full time and one part time members of staff to run the farm, including the current owners. TUPE obligations will apply to the non-family members of staff.
Vehicle
Included within the sale of the business:
Mitsubishi L200 pick up truck 2017 with 31,000 miles.
Machinery & Equipment
The farm has a significant amount of machinery and equipment, including Liquid oxygen tank and 100kVA standby generator set in the sale together with the farm vehicle. A list of the main items is available from the vendor's agent.
The purchaser will be required to pay for all stock and feed on the farm on the date of completion, at valuation.
Standing stock, includes 3 generations of the Winterborne rainbow strain brookstock including Mix sex for potential Organic production. Genetics related data is Houghton Springs Property, held by Noahgene. (not included in the sale).
Owners Accommodation
A south facing detached bungalow constructed in 1980 of bradstone elevations under a concrete tiled roof. The accommodation comprises; a large kitchen/dining/sitting room, study, utility room, family bathroom and 3-bedrooms.
Annex
The eastern end of the bungalow has been converted into a self-contained annex providing kitchen/sitting room, 1-bedroom, shower room with an adjacent car port and garage/workshop.
Outside
The bungalow is approached over a gravel drive and has the benefit of a large lawned garden with shrub borders.
Land (as coloured green on the site plan)
Adjacent to the fish farm enjoying two separate access points is a pony paddock extending to 3.25 acres (1.3 ha) with a timber stable. This is available by separate negotiation.
Planning
The bungalow is subject to an agricultural occupancy condition.
Services
Mains water, mains electricity (single phase to the bungalow and 3 phase to the fish farm), private drainage system and 10 KW solar panel system on hatchery roof.
Energy Performance
Bungalow EPC E
Mobile Home EPC TBC
Council Tax payable 2023/2024
Bungalow Band E - £2,835.75
Mobile Home Band A - £1,484.33
Business Rates - £Nil
Features
- A rare opportunity to acquire a renowned fish farm and hatchery
- Fish farm specialising in producing rainbow and arctic charr
- Detached three bedroom owners dwelling
- Site extending to 3.5 acres
- Further paddock land available by separate negotiation