Woodhead & Snailsden Moors
South Pennies
A rare opportunity to purchase a very high quality moor. These grouse moors have been subjected to a major programme of rejuvenation over the last four years. Significant capital has been injected in terms of keepers’ accommodation and associated buildings, road, butts, bracken spraying, the replanting of heather, control of sheep grazing and general improvement of habitat. A light-shooting programme has been adopted and the moors currently enjoy a very healthy stock. In 2007 Snailsden shot a record bag of 175 brace in five drives.
The estate is offered for sale as a whole or in two lots by Private Treaty.
Areas
The areas have been calculated by reference to title documents and other plans and agreements. The areas have otherwise not been verified and purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the exact area if this is material to their purchase. Any discrepancy shall not annul the sale nor entitle the purchaser to any form of compensation.
Employees
If applicable, the purchaser will be responsible for complying with the statutory provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regs. 2006 and The Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regs. 1999. Details with regard to Employees are available from the selling agents.
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment
A selection of fixtures and fittings at Woodhead Lodge and equipment at both properties are available for sale by separate negotiation. Further details are available from the selling agents.
Value Added Tax
Should the sale of the property or any right attached to it become a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax shall be payable by the purchaser(s) in addition to any money during the course of this sale.
SITUATION
General
These grouse moors have been subjected to a major programme of rejuvenation over the last four years. Significant capital has been injected in terms of keepers’ accommodation and associated buildings, road, butts, bracken spraying, the replanting of heather, control of sheep grazing and general improvement of habitat. A light shooting programme has been adopted and the moors currently enjoy a very healthy stock. In 2007 Snailsden shot a record bag of 175 brace in five drives.
The prospects going forward are as good as they have ever been – the keepering team is first-class and the habitat is in superb condition.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a two-day grouse moor and lowland shoot with the easiest possible access to London and the South East. Snailsden and Woodhead are two separate, but closely located, grouse moors situated on the borders of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, in the South Pennines. The moors provide exciting grouse shooting and are very accessible. They lie approximately four miles apart.
The moors total some 3,042 hectares (7,518 acres) of Sporting Rights and provide two consecutive days driven grouse shooting. Also included in this area are approximately 150 acres of freehold land, 3 cottages and outbuildings and a high-bird pheasant shoot.
SNAILSDEN
The Property
Snailsden is situated to the west and north of Winscar Reservoir and includes Freehold Sporting Rights over 1,552 hectares (3,835 acres), a game keeper’s cottage and associated buildings and 9.3 hectares (23 acres) of in-bye ground and 43 hectares (107 acres) of rough grazing. About 1,255 hectares (3,100 acres) are moor and 297 hectares (735 acres) woodland and low ground.
The Moor
The moor provides ones day’s driving with five lines of butts, including a spectacular drive over the reservoir itself. Two of these butt lines have been recently rebuilt to a high quality in natural stone and the balance have been refurbished to a high standard. Snailsden is believed to have been one of the first places to practice grouse driving in England, originating in about 1842. There is good heather cover throughout the moor, with significant ongoing regeneration in recent years.
The Low Ground Shoot
The Sporting Rights over a further 297 hectares (735 acres) of woodland and low ground provides an established high pheasant shoot, known as Yateholme.
Freehold and Farming
The freehold is owned by Yorkshire Water PLC and the land is farmed by three protected agricultural tenants, with sheep numbers being limited to a maximum of 580 ewes and followers, under the terms of the tenancies and Environmentally Sensitive Area Agreements. The low stocking offers the ideal opportunity for further heather regeneration and improvement to the moor.
Residential Property
Snailsden Lodge, occupied by the head keeper, is owned freehold and enjoys a stunning position, with wide sweeping views across the reservoir and moor. The Lodge and buildings have recently been extensively refurbished.
Ramsden Lodge is occupied by an under keeper and is located adjacent to Ramsden Reservoir at the heart of the pheasant shoot. It has four bedrooms, outbuildings and is in good condition.
WOODHEAD
The Property
Woodhead lies to the south of the Woodhead Reservoir and the Woodhead Pass. It includes 1,438 hectares (3,553 acres) of Freehold Sporting Rights, a keeper’s cottage and outbuildings within 8 hectares (20 acres) of freehold land.
The Moor
Woodhead moor is butted for one day’s driving with six lines of butts. The rugged terrain and steep gullies provide for exciting drives and dramatic shooting. The moor is situated in part of a much larger group of moors, managed and keepered for grouse production and is bordered on three sides by well known driven moors. There is good even heather growth throughout the moor.
Freehold and Farming
The freehold is owned by a single grazier and a covenant is in place restricting the stocking to a maximum of 800 ewes and followers. Due to the ESA Agreement there is now only very limited sheep grazing on the moor. There is scope for further heather regeneration and approximately 80 hectares (200 acres) has recently been reseeded at the southern end.
Residential Property
Woodhead Lodge sits within 8 hectares (20 acres) of freehold land and is occupied by an under keeper and has recently been refurbished. The adjacent buildings have been attractively restored providing an entertainment facility for the guns including a Dining Room, Sitting Room, Kitchen and Shower Room.
FREEHOLD OWNERS AND FARMING ARRANGEMENTS SNAILSDEN
Farming Arrangements
The Freehold over Snailsden Moor is owned by Yorkshire Water PLC and farmed by their agricultural tenants. None of the tenants’ steadings are actually located on the moor, all of who farm adjacent land, and occupy bare land only on the moor. Current stocking is limited to around 580 ewes and followers on the moor. It is considered that there is no significant overgrazing problem on the moor and in recent years there is good evidence of an increase in the heather area on the moor.
The ESA Arrangements
There are ongoing ESA Management
Agreements on Snailsden yielding a total of around £27,500 to the owner of the shooting interest.
WOODHEAD
Farming Arrangements
The Freehold of Woodhead Moor is now in a single ownership. There is a covenant with the Freehold owner limiting the stocking to a maximum of 800 ewes and their followers over the extent of the whole moor but only about 200 sheep are currently run on the moor due to the ESA Agreement.
The ESA Arrangements
The current Agreements on Woodhead yield a total of around £21,000 to the shooting interest.
PUBLIC ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY
The CROW Act allowing free access to open land now applies to all of the moorland area and several new access points have been opened up.
Public Roads
Both moors are bordered at various points by stretches of public roads, although neither moor is actually dissected by any public vehicular right of way, with the exception of the western extreme of Snailsden.
Internal Private Roads
Both moors are served by private hardcore moorland tracks, which give good four-wheel drive access to all lines of butts.
Public Footpaths and Bridleways.
There are no public rights of way over either moor.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNATIONS
Both Snailsden and Woodhead are within the Peak District National Park, the Dark Peak Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the North Peak Environmentally Sensitive Area and have been designated as Special Protection Areas.
MINERALS
There are no mineral rights owned by the vendors.
There is a small area at Linshaws, to the east of Snailsden Reservoir on which some small-scale workings are occasionally carried out by a third party.
GENERAL REMARKS AND STIPULATIONS
Viewings.
Viewing will be strictly by prior appointment with the selling agents, CKD Kennedy Macpherson (0207 409 1944). Prior to making an appointment to view it is recommended that any particular points that may affect your interests are discussed with a member of staff who is familiar with the property.
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