The Staward Estate, Sulby
Guide Price £7,335,000

Located in a highly regarded farming area between the west coast of the island with sandy beaches and the central mountain range to the east, the Staward Estate is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Isle of Man landscape. The sale offers an excellent opportunity to acquire an agricultural estate with potential, either as a diversified investment, or to be operated in-hand as a dairy/arable farming operation. The Staward traditional range (Lot 3) benefits from planning permission to create an impressive main residence. The buildings are surrounded by land within the same ownership, previously used as the venue for the Royal Manx Agricultural Show and well suited to creating a parkland setting. The let cottages provide a diversified income stream from residential lettings and would also be well suited to holiday cottages, use as staff accommodation or family accommodation. The land in Lot 9 has been promoted for residential development and is currently allocated in the Draft Area Plan for the area, creating the opportunity to further diversify the estate or generate capital from outside agriculture.

Almost equidistant from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown Dependency with a population of circa 85,000 people and a beautifully varied landscape which combined with a rich history and vibrant cultural heritage, culminated in the Island being awarded UNESCO Biosphere status in 2016. Internationally recognised for its off-shore banking and financial services sector, the Isle of Man offers a low tax economy, with significant tax advantages including low personal/corporate tax rates and no capital gains or inheritance tax. Residency on the Isle of Man typically requires a person to be present for at least 6 months each year, although certain exceptions may apply. Tourism is also key component of the economy with the annual Isle of Man TT, popular worldwide, often almost doubling the population of the Island during the event. One of the fastest sections on the course, the ‘Sulby Straight,’ runs between Lots 1 and 2.

The agricultural sector on the Isle of Man is extensive and progressive, with arable, beef, sheep, dairying, vegetables and poultry all key enterprises. Government support for the agricultural sector is available through the Agricultural Development Scheme, administered by the Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture and includes a range of subsidies, capital grants and conservation schemes. With a climate well suited to grass production, livestock and dairying are the mainstay of the agricultural economy. The Island has its own abattoir and livestock are also exported to slaughter and for breeding, with exports enhanced by the Island’s low animal disease status. The Isle of Man creamery is operated as a co-operative, processing liquid milk to produce butter, cheese and cream which is exported worldwide.

The main farm extends to 136.69 acres and includes an attractive 3 bedroom bungalow (subject to an occupancy condition) constructed in 1991, together with a modern, galvanised, steel framed building (approx. 280’ x 90’) which was originally constructed for housing sheep with slatted floor. The building has been adapted to a dairy facility including Waikato 20:40 parlour with feeders, internal collecting yard, cubicles, 6,000 litre bulk tank and associated coolers/chillers, feed bin, vet race and holding pens. The yard area includes a 600 tonne silage pit and muck midden, with the slurry from the unit stored underneath the slats and solid manure scrapped into an external midden. The land is drained, level and well farmed, with the soils classified as Grade 2, with some Grade 4 which has been improved. A schedule of the field areas and uses is provided. The land, buildings and yard in Lot 1 are let on a FBT expiring on the 30th September 2025 and managed as part of a larger arable enterprise. The bungalow is let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST).

An attractive area of arable and pasture located on the edge of Sulby Village and previously used to host the Royal Manx Show. The land has a parkland layout and borders the ‘Sulby Straight’ and Sulby River. The land is level and productive with good access. The free draining soils are classified as Grade 2 and the Showfields are let together with Lot 1 on a Farm Business Tenancy expiring on the 30th September 2025.

Lot 3 comprises the “Staward Barns”, a registered traditional range of farm buildings and two quintessential Manx cottages which are currently let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies. The Staward buildings are constructed of Manx stone with slate roofs and arranged in a quadrangle to create an enclosed courtyard with adjoining double storey granary. Planning consent has been granted permitting the conversion and extension of the buildings onto land included with Lot 2, to create a substantial residential dwelling, ancillary accommodation and leisure facilities. A Certificate of Lawful Use was granted in 2024 confirming that the planning permission had commenced. Including the gardens and grounds, Lot 3 extends to approximately 2.31 acres overall. Based on the approved plans, the layout of the residential accommodation in the Staward Buildings includes: MAIN BUILDING - Ground Floor: Formal Entrance, Snug, Drawing Room, Dining Hall, Kitchen, Day Room, Lobby, Two Bedroom Suites with living room and bathroom, Linen Store, Utilities/Store, Double Garage, Boot Room, Office, Study, Games Room. First Floor: Four Ensuite Bedrooms, Storage Facilities LEISURE FACILITIES - Ground Floor: Swimming Pool, Lobby, Kitchen, Changing and Toilet Facilities, Plant Room. First Floor: Four Ensuite Bedrooms, Storage Facilities. LANDSCAPING & GROUNDS - Courtyard: Central water feature surrounded by an area of lawn and paved setts. Grounds: Landscaped garden with water feature and patio area, Parking, main access drive with electrically operated access gates.

A block of productive arable and grassland, together with an area of amenity woodland all predominantly within a ring fence. The land is subject to a Farm Business Tenancy expiring on the 30th September 2025.

Classified as Grade 3 and located to the northwest of Ballaugh village, Lots 5 and 6 extend to 72.09 acres overall and include arable and temporary grassland, together with an amenity pond. The land benefits from extensive road frontage and is well fenced, with the recent cropping rotation including potatoes. The land is let on a Farm Business Tenancy until the 30th September 2025.

Classified as Grade 3 and located to the northwest of Ballaugh village, Lots 5 and 6 extend to 72.09 acres overall and include arable and temporary grassland, together with an amenity pond. The land benefits from extensive road frontage and is well fenced, with the recent cropping rotation including potatoes. The land is let on a Farm Business Tenancy until the 30th September 2025.

Extending to 3.88 acres, Lot 9 includes land allocated for residential development in the Draft North and West Area Plan for the Isle of Man, which following the conclusion of a Public Inquiry is pending adoption. The proposed allocation is based on 11 dwellings with 0.96 acres of open space. Historically, planning permission on part of this land was secured using a Certificate of Lawful Use. The land is currently let with Lot 1 on a Farm Business Tenancy expiring on the 30th September 2025.

The property is offered for sale freehold by Private Treaty as a Whole or in Lots. The vendors reserve the right to conclude the sale by any other means at their discretion and prospective purchasers should register their interest with the selling agents to be kept informed.

The plan and schedules included in the particulars are based on the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure Mapping Service and are for reference only. The purchaser(s) will be required to satisfy themselves as to the boundaries and areas of the land offered for sale and any errors shall not annul the sale nor entitle either party to compensation in respect thereof.

The boundaries of the land are generally defined by mature hedges, fences or other boundary structures. Certain boundaries may not be identified by a boundary structure.

Land grades are based on the Isle of Man Land Grade Classifications.

The property is to be sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way whether public or private, rights of water, drainage, light, electric and other rights, as well as existing or proposed wayleaves, easements, quasi-easements, restrictive covenants and any other burdens whether referred to in these particulars or not.

As far as they are owned, the sporting and mineral rights are included with the freehold and included in the sale.

The property and land are offered for sale subject to any existing restrictions. In particular, the bungalow included with Lot 1 is subject to an agricultural occupancy condition.

Rates are payable to the Isle of Man Treasury on the following: Shephers's Bungalow (Lot 1) Rateable Value: £88.00 Amount for 2025/26 £459.56 1 Staward Cottage (Lot 3) Rateable Value: £56.00 Amount for 2025/26 £310.35 2 Staward Cottage (Lot 3) Rateable Value: £40.00 Amount for £310.35

There are no employees directly associated with the Staward Estate.

All residential properties are connected to mains water and electricity, with oil fired heating and private drainage systems.

Part of Lot 1 has been opted to tax and if the sale, or any part of it, or any right attached to it attracts VAT, such tax will be payable by the purchaser(s), in addition to the purchase price.

Unless stated all fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale.

Title to the Staward Estate is registered.

When viewing the property please be aware of the potential hazards associated with a working farm.

The successful purchaser(s) will be required to provide the selling agents with documents to satisfy the Money Laundering Regulations including proof of identity and address. Further details of the requirements are available upon request.

Staward Farm (Lot 1) – IM7 2HP ///bloom.combating.schemes

Viewings are strictly by prior appointment. Please contact the joint selling agents: Chrystals, 31 Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SE. Neil Taggart MRICS email: Neil.Taggart@Chrystals.co.im. Tel: 01624 623778 Mobile: 07624 450434. Alnwick Farming And Property Consultants, 6H Greensfield Court, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2DE. Oliver Stones MRICS FAAV email: oliver@alnwickfpc.co.uk. Tel: 01665 606041 Mobile: 07494 035181