Start Stunner – Heads Up
Start Point Lighthouse Tower (c) 2006 Beth Loft.
This week our first listing is a heads up. Yesterday author and journalist Mr Jon Stock wrote an excellent article in the property section of the Daily Telegraph…..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/9594354/Time-to-look-into-living-in-a-lighthouse.html
Jon kindly mentioned the Unique Property Bulletin, and how one of our principles is to give as much advance notice about probable property sales of star buildings to our readers as possible. This first listing for the Bulletin this week is one such example. It follows the year long advance notice we gave in October 2011 regarding the upcoming, yet little known about sale of Tod Head Lighthouse Tower (pictured on our Unique Property Manual book – front cover – this page – right hand column). Our readers had the advantage: the best part of a year to prepare.
So what do we have this week? Well, way back on 11th January 2010 the Northern Lighthouse Board, in their fairly obscure Heritage and Estates Committee minuted, and we quote “Start Point (Lighthouse) …… the property would be offered for sale on the open market”. Given that our prediction of both the lighthouse towers at Strathy Point and Tod Head came true, we are guided that a likely sale date for this absolutely star property at Start Point will probably be early in 2013. So commence saving in your unusual building piggy bank now please. Also keep an eye on the DTZ Agency website, as they sold the last few lighthouses for the Northern Lightouse Board. To make sure you don’t miss out, it may also be an idea to email us – please click here. Or keep an eye on the online Unique Property Bulletin over the coming months. As soon as we know a firm sale date and have an online sales brochure we will include it in our Bulletin for you. The important thing for us, is that our readers have plenty of advance notice. If you require to arrange a mortgage for example, the longer you have to save a bigger deposit, and the more time you have to sort out some due diligence, the better placed you should be to secure that iconic and unique property of your dreams.
Start Point Lighthouse Tower was built by the famous Stevenson family and first lit in 1806. It was also the first revolving light lighthouse in Scotland and the only one to be painted in black and white vertical stripes. 23m Tower; 4th order Fresnel lens. Character: 2 flashes per 20 seconds. Accessible only at low tide. Just imagine, with all those stairs you can save a fortune on the Gym Membership! Though the 360 degree sea views with the drama of waves and storms, plus, on quieter occasions the delight at the best sunset views for miles has to make up for a little leg ache.
Good luck, and please let us know how you get on in the coming months.
Location: Start Point Lighthouse, Start Point, Island of Sanday, Orkney, KW17 2BP.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: To be advised. Likely sale date first half of 2013.
Contact – Probably DTZ Agencies: 0131 222 4500 – Mr John Brown, or 0131 222 4636 – Mr Richard Cottingham.
Online Brochure ….
Start Point Lighthouse – Not available just now, but here is something to study as a precedent …..
Earlier Examples of Lighthouse Tower Sales from DTZ Agencies
Please note, we will upload the Online Brochure for Start Point Lighthouse immediately we have it. If your curiosity has been lit, and you wish to make doubly sure you don’t miss it, please register an interest by clicking here and letting us to to email you back when there is news. We shall do our best to keep you updated about the advised future sale of Start Point Lighthouse.
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Diana Princess Of Wales Hospital
Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre(c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
This is a vast amount of property and land (approximately 9 acres) for not that much money. This sort of project is only for the steel hearted and brave soul. But what a wonderful building. A marvellous setting. Something really interesting could be made of this building set.
For sale is the majority of the former Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre hospital. For clarity, what is being sold is outlined with the red thin line on the aerial photograph above.
The property is situated in the village of Gimingham close to Mundesley and the North Norfolk Coast and has a variety of use (subject to planning). The former Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre comprises a former hospital and care home with the original buildings dating back to Victorian times.
Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre(c) 2012 Evelyn Simak
The main building is an impressive pavilion-style Victorian property with glazed veranda. Accommodation is provided over three floors with various areas to include bedrooms/wards, dining room, kitchens, meeting and staff rooms, a sports hall, lecture hall and other ancillary areas.
Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre(c) 2012 Evelyn Simak
Planning: The property’s existing use falls within class C2 of the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. The buildings are Grade II Listed.
Directions: From Norwich travel to North Walsham and take the B1145 through Trunch towards Gimingham. At the crossroads turn right signed Mundesley and after about 1 mile turn left towards the hospital which can be seen in the distance. Follow the road around to the rear entrance to the property before the golf course
Location: Former Diana Princess Of Wales Treatment Centre, Mundesley, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 8ET.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: OIRO £875,000.
Contact Strutt & Parker Agencies Tel: 01603 883603 – Mr Alastair Brown.
Online Brochure ….
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Red Door Renovation
Former Queensborough Fire Station (c) 2012 Clive Emson Auctioneers
We have had several emails asking for more fire stations. Must be the fire poles or the red fire engines or something. Very happy to oblige. Here we have a nicely priced number in Kent. Not quite sure what the small sailing boat full of plant life is doing in front of this fire station, but for the money, there is some potential in the building and the land it sits on.
General Description: A detached property standing on the outskirts of the coastal town of Queenborough comprising a former fire station offering potential for a variety of future uses, subject to all the necessary consents being obtainable. Interested applicants are advised to make their own enquiries with the Local Planning Authority, the Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT. Tel: 01795 417850.
Accommodation:
Main Building with sliding doors to front and rear.
Kitchen/Staff Room
Office
Locker Room
Shower Room with W.C.
Kit Store
Outside:
Driveway and hardstanding to front and rear.
Location: Former Fire Station, Whiteway Road,Queensborough, Kent, ME11 5EJ.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £60,000 to £70,000 – Auction Lot 44 Clive Emsons 29 October 2012.
Contact Clive Emson Auctioneers Tel: 0845 8500333 – John Stockey or Ben Snelling.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.cliveemson.co.uk/listing_view.asp?Lot=44&Auc=157
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Next Treble Nine
Former Police Station, Cumbria (c) 2012 Pugh & Co., Auctioneers
After our recent Hamish MacBeth Police Station visit to the Loch Dubh police area, we have had emails requesting more in this genre of former police stations. Though the requests this time are for something much farther south, in the very popular Cumbria region.
Former Police Station, Cumbria (c) 2012 Pugh & Co., Auctioneers
As always, please don’t worry about the shortness of notice. If you have the bank balance, and can do the due diligence in time to buy this cop shop fine. Otherwise this may be another Back-To-The-Future example and possibly come around for sale again. Alternatively, there will inevitably be more old nicks for sale. Worry not.
Former Police Station, Cumbria (c) 2012 Pugh & Co., Auctioneers
General Description: This former police station is situated in the centre of Milnthorpe, with frontage to Beetham Road (A6). Junction 36 of the M6 motorway lies less than 2½ miles to the east and Kendal is approximately 6½ miles to the north.
Former Police Station, Cumbria (c) 2012 Pugh & Co., Auctioneers
Part two storey and part single storey detached police station offered with vacant possession, with accommodation arranged over ground and first floor currently providing various offices, meetings rooms and storage.
Approximate measurements (in good faith, but potential purchasers should satisfy themselves as to accuracy):-
Ground Floor: 107.35 sq m., (1,156 sq ft)
First Floor: 63.81 sq m., (687 sq ft)
Garage: 28.90 sq m., (311 sq ft)
Total: 200.06 sq m., (2,153 sq ft)
Location: Former Police Station, Beetham Road, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7QR.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £120,000 to £140,000 – Auction Lot 23 Pugh & Co., on 18 October 2012.
Contact Pugh & Co., Auctioneers Tel: 0844 2 722444.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20121018/023
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Four Fabulous Floors For Friar Fryer
Abbots Tower (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
Never mind the kitchen sink, have you ever seen such a spectacular kitchen ceiling?
Abbots Tower Kitchen (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
The Friar must have loved looking to the celestial maker when frying up (sorry couldn’t resist that very bad pun). Anyway, we have never seen a ceiling above the sink like this one.
Abbots Tower is a situated in a rural and peaceful setting with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. Set in about 0.72 acres, the property has been lovingly restored to create a remarkable and visually striking home.
Having visited the nearby, and famous Sweetheart Abbey, this is, indeed a lovely place to live.
Cuthbert Broun an earlier owner of Abbots Tower in the 1620’s fell on hard times and subsequently mortgaged the estate. By 1627 it was owned by John Hay of Edinburgh. The Tower appears to have been abandoned as a residence at this time and gradually fell into disrepair. They even had boom and bust in the 1600s so it is unfair to blame Kirsty and Phil. They have both been on the television a while, but perhaps not starting back in 1627 !
Restoration of Abbots Tower began in 1990 and took the best part of twenty years to complete.
The accommodation spans over four floors accessible by stone turnpike staircases leading up the tower. A “secret” staircase leads to the Garret which is currently used as an attic bedroom.
Abbots Tower Stairway Roundel (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
There are 4 bedrooms lying within the Tower over the four floors. The master bedroom has an original fireplace, exposed beams and a window seat. There is an en-suite w.c. on this floor with a shower room on the floor above. A guest bedroom lies on the ground floor with a bathroom, whilst the remaining bedrooms lie in the Garret and in the Caphouse (on the top floor) providing useful overspill accommodation. The Caphouse provides access to the roof and the flagpole.
Abbots Tower is situated in a beautifully peaceful spot amongst the rolling countryside with distant views of the Solway Firth.
Access to the national motorway network is located 20 miles to the northeast of Dumfries at junction 15 of the M74, and 23 miles east of Dumfries at junction 45 of the M6.
Alternatively known as the Scottish Riviera on account of its mild gulf stream climate and picturesque coastline, the area is popular with summer tourists from throughout the UK and particularly those looking to escape the more populated parts of England and the central belt of Scotland.
Abbots Tower sits in approximately three-quarters of an acre with a gravel drive fanning out to give ample uncovered parking. Much of the grounds are set to woodland with shrubs and wild flowers. One side of the drive has been planted with an orchard.
The range of outbuildings include a fuel store, boiler room / boot room, utility room, gardener’s w.c. There is a detached double garage and a workshop with a spacious games room above.
4 Bedrooms
4 Reception Rooms
3 Bathrooms
Garden
Rural Location
Outbuildings
Approximately 0.72 acres
Location: Abbots Tower, New Abbey, Dumfries, DG2 8HH.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: £625,000.
Contact Strutt & Parker Agencies Tel: 0131 226 2500 – Sharon Zaremski.
Online Brochure ….
http://search.struttandparker.com/residential/new-abbey-dumfries-dumfriesshire-dg2/6379
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SIGNS
The Old Signal Box & House (c) 2012 Mr Ian Paterson
Not quite the Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix smash hit movie – SIGNS – but a signal box that has the signs we were directed towards by one of our readers. They specifically asked for somewhere in Lincolnshire they could buy, and where the guests could be accommodated at the bottom of the garden. Not sure what family and friends they have that necessitates decanting visitors to the albeit glorious outhouse, but let us hope they keep the precarious first-floor-no-stairs door in this old Signal Box firmly locked. Imagine getting up in the middle of the night for the loo, and wandering through that? If you might have had problems going before, you would certainly not need any figs to make you go during the freefall (sorry digressed a bit there).
The Old Signal Box & House (c) 2012 The Nottingham Estate Agency
This two bedroom detached, and it is important to note the whole building is detached from any neighbours as the photograph above seems to give the impression of a semi, this is a decent amount of building for the money, and has a nice bit of quirky with it.
The Old Signal Box & House (c) 2012 The Nottingham Estate Agency
Agency Description: Steeped in history forming part of the old railway buildings, in the village of Burgh Le Marsh. Complete with the original signal box which provides a great view point of the surrounding countryside. This most unique property has been lovingly restored and modernised.
The Old Signal Box & House (c) 2012 The Nottingham Estate Agency
Outside: The rear of the property is enclosed with fencing and hedging being of a split level design with formal sun terrace and lawned garden area with screening. There is an open barn/carport. The front of the property has a lawned area with pathway and gravelled borders.
Location: The Old Signal Box House, Station Road, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE24 5EX.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £215,000.
Contact The Nottingham Estate Agency Tel: 01754 767424.
Online Brochure ….
https://www.thenottingham.com/property/buying/1075005284-station-road-skegness/
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In case you missed it, and in addition to our weekly Unique Property Bulletin – our monthly FEATURE has been uploaded and is available via this link ….
Click Here For Monthly FEATURE
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…….and finally:-
Lynas Lighthouse Lighter In Lucre
Point Lynas Lighthouse (c) 2012 Williams & Goodwin
We started with a lighthouse this week, so it is balanced that we end with one. Just received details in from Williams & Goodwin that the Point Lynas Lighthouse on the island gem of Anglesey is still fully available, and has just had its priced reduced by £125,000 to £1,375,000. Not bad for 17 acres and one of the most spectacular buildings, with one of the most spectacular views, on one of the most spectacular islands, with some of the most spectacular neighbours, in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Point Lynas Lighthouse (c) 2012 Williams & Goodwin
If you are in this league, and given what we saw with the eventual price reduction on Sanda Island for example, it might be worth putting an offer in on the light side of one million pounds (after due diligence etc) for Point Lynas Lighthouse, and see if the estate agent’s face turns red or green!
Full description and contact details – 3rd property from the top in our Unique Property Archive …
http://uniquepropertybulletinarchive.co.uk/?page_id=68
Or telephone the agents, Williams & Goodwin direct on: 01248 751000.
http://www.tppuk.com/ea_Details.aspx?id=WGLLGKE13J822
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