Unique Property Bulletin 29 November 2015

Nov 2015 – Introduction

This Edition’s Unique Property Feature:-

How? What?

Where Eagles Dare Castle

In An Oblique Way, This Is A Unique Home

Film Location: Where Eagles Dare – In Fiction Castle Schloss Adler

We know that each edition of Unique Property Bulletin has a good tranche of properties for sale or lease. Plus our new social media presence which have many properties for sale in addition to those featured in the 3-weekly Bulletin

Unique Property Bulletin Facebook Newsfeed (Click Here)

and

Unique Property Bulletin Twitter Newsfeed (Click Here)

Notwithstanding the actual buildings that we feature, there may, for example, be a couple of elements that are the Cinderella of this Bulletin. The how and the what? This edition we aim to remedy that a little. By recounting an anecdotal journey. One that may hold some interest for those seeking a way of life that is essentially different from the ordinary. Not just in the style of unusual property and locations, but the important issue of a vocation.

Where Eagles Dare By Alastair MacLean

Where Eagles Dare: Book By Alistair MacLean. The Film Starred Richard Burton

& That Scary Cable Car To Castle Schloss Adler

What has this book and the resultant Holywood film got to do with you and unique property?

You’ll need to read our feature-article to join in with that journey

Whatever financial your position, whether seeking a new way to earn a living, or to stave of the lethal boredom of some forms of retirement, there has seldom been a better time to explore the range of vocational options available. Primarily because of where we are now in relation to the internet and web-based business that can be run virtually anywhere on the planet.

This Bulletin’s feature-article has an account of an accidental visit to the home of an iconic author. A modest writer who ended up with book sales exceeding 30,000,000 at a time when there was no Kindle or social media to help a publication go ‘viral’. Old school writing and publication. At his peak, he was the best-selling author in the world. His name? Alistair MacLean. Many of his books have also been translated into Holywood films. Also in this Bulletin we have a twist in the tail in the vein of an Alistair MacLean adventure. For that you’ll need to read the main article…

The full feature can be read – at the foot of this page.

Nov 2015 – Cop Shop For Cash

Cop Shop For Cash?

Police House & Office, 2 Prince Charles Avenue, Bowburn, Durham, County Durham, DH6 5DL
Dixon of Durham

Former Police House & Station, Prince Charles Avenue, County Durham

This old bill house and station is at a very tempting price. Ideal for many of our readers who are looking to move into a place where they can live and work from. Instead of an hour travelling between home and work each day, try a 30-second-commute. Also for folk working from or near home it is good to keep some separation between these two parts of life. Whilst having the bonus of a reasonably professional situation should folk need to meet you at your place of work. If they get a bit rowdy, pop ’em in the cells. Though this small plod place doesn’t have formal or what is known as a “legal” places of custody. Still it presents as an interesting home. May also be an legitimate excuse to buy one of these iconic blur boxes to plant in your front garden…

Tardis BBC

Tardis NOT Included- But Would Be A Good Excuse To Buy One

Location: Former Police House & Station, 2 Prince Charles Avenue, Bowburn, Durham, County Durham, DH6 5DL

Guide: £40,000 – Tardis not included

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Google 3D Map: Click Here

Contact: 0844 2 722444

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us more than you may imagine.

Nov 2015 – Silo Building Sale

Silo Building Sale

Interesting Plans Afoot

The Old Silo, Mount Wellington Mine, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8RJ

Conversion Project: The Old Silo, Mount Wellington Mine, Truro, Cornwall

A big thankyou to one of our eagle eyed readers who emailed us with this interesting development project so that we could share it with others who follow the Unique Property Bulletin.

The old silo project is intended to become a new home or offices by converting one of the UK’s largest reinforced ore silo’s. A clever adaptation uses an industrial building that was completed in 1975 – with a short lifespan – being decommissioned in 1978, after which it has remained unused. It is reinforced with steel so that it could contain around 2,000 tons of metal ores, mostly tin and copper.

There are fine views over Cornwall’s idyllic countryside with the contrasting brutality of the retention of some of the original concrete silo walls. The beauty of working with a circular building is that it is visually dynamic – the surfaces and fixtures carry one’s eye continuously around any room, and the 360 degree views beyond. Providing approximately 580 m2 (around 6,200 sq feet) of accommodation together with parking for ten cars, there is another acre of serviced brownfield development land available on the adjacent plot, by separate negotiation.

Location: The Old Silo, Mount Wellington Mine, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8RJ

Guide: £350,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact: 01702 870878

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep the Bulletin free for all online to read.

Nov 2015 – Library Life To Coffee Shop Culture

Library Life To Coffee Shop Culture

Library, The Old Vicarage, Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3DT Photo Peter Wilson

Former Bilton Library, The Old Vicarage, Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Photo Courtesy of Peter Wilson

For some time we have yearned for one of these former libraries as a project. Too many other adventures just now, but maybe this is food for thought for a reader of the Bulletin out there somewhere. Especially given the nature of this edition’s accent on authorship and writing for a living.

The principle we would advocate for this building is to keep the core function of a library. But to add an internet cafe and coffee shop into the mix. Plus convert the upstairs to residential use (subject to planning permission). It was previously a vicarage so residential change-of-use must stand a good chance – click here. This handsome Grade II listed detached property certainly has enough room with around 2,800 square feet to play with.

Library, The Old Vicarage, Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3DT Int

Harrogate Adventure – The Old Library Interior

This would give someone, possibly a couple, a new home and workplace. We cannot guarantee it would work, but when we completed a similar project, transforming an old derelict pub and restoring it to meaningful use the results were very positive. Giving up the booze part and changing the beverage to coffee. Plus food, with an internet cafe included, we were shocked at how well the thing took off. Created 9 new jobs such was the popularity of the new place.

Click Here To Study The Bulletin Adventure With A Coffee Shop Conversion

That was from a ruinous old pub. This library is far from that. The Harrogate book reservoir is a decent building to start with, and in the scheme of things a fair amount of property for the money. Plus the potential for employment and the nice part – meeting interesting people each day. This library is also set in a nice leafy part of town – click here for a 360 degree wander around on Google Streetview. If this building and project captures your imagination, please let us know how you get on? Click Here.

Location: Former Bilton Library, The Old Vicarage, Bilton Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3DT

Guide: £250,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Roy Pugh Auctions Tel: 0844 2 722444.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Chapel Auction + Planning Permission

Chapel Auction + Planning Permission

Guide £63,000

Chapel 2

Our Lady of the Valley Church, Darvel, East Ayrshire

Cavernous Interior: Your Architectural Canvas

A very nice opportunity to acquire this former church which has full planning permission for conversion to a 5 bedroom residence.

Location: Our Lady of the Valley Church, West Donington Street, Darvel, East Ayrshire, KA17 0AP.

Date: For Sale By AUCTION

Guide: £63,000

Auction Catalogue: Click Here

Dedicated Bulletin Page: Click Here

Nov 2015 – Mission In Maidstone

Mission In Maidstone Possible?

St Lukes Centre, 33 Foley Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 5BD
St Luke’s Centre, 33 Foley Street, Maidstone, Kent

This is a fine looking building. It seems a shame to consider reviving the lapsed planning permission to demolish and replace with a terrace of six dwellings. The existing structure is interesting. It also has a nice plot of ground of around .2 of an acre. The building is recorded as being built around 1887 as a Mission Church. Though the most recent use has been as a builder’s yard and offices. A quick 360 degree scope of the area via Streetview gives an idea of the what and where: click here.

Location: St Luke’s Centre, 33 Foley Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 5BD

Guide: £320,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Clive Emson Auctioneers Tel: 01622 608400 – John Stockey or Ben Snellin.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents and auctioneers that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Lincolnshire Watermill Home

Lincolnshire Watermill Home

Aswardby Watermill, Sausthorpe, Lincolnshire, PE23 4LB

Aswardby Watermill, Sausthorpe, Lincolnshire

This is a substantial home, converted from a watermill and set in attractive grounds of approximately 3.07 acres. There are five bedrooms – three with en suite facilities. Three reception rooms. Contemporary fitted kitchen. Self contained ‘granny’ annexe. Sun deck. Utility room. Fantastic views over the river Lymn and the mill pool. Double garage and large workshop/store.

Aswardby Watermill, Original Feature

Internal Display Features At Aswardby Watermill

Plus some charming internal features dating from the original mill use.

Location: Aswardby Watermill, Sausthorpe, Lincolnshire, PE23 4LB

Guide: £935,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Kemp & Co., Tel: 01790 754888.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Octagonal Home in Bristol

Octagonal Home In Bristol

The Octagon At Bristol General Photo Dr Duncan Pepper

The Octagon, The General, Guinea Street, Bristol

Photograph Courtesy of Dr Duncan Pepper

An unusually shaped 3 bedroom duplex apartment within the octagonal tower of this historic, former hospital building. Positioned on the first floor with the open plan living space within the tower, offering 5 original sash windows which take in the glorious views of the Bathurst Basin and Bristol city beyond. There are 2 bedrooms on the lower floor along with the shower room whilst the superb master suite is positioned on the upper floor.

The General

The Octagon, The General, Guinea Street, Bristol

The floorplan gives an idea of this unusual property’s layout (please do not scale – for guidance only).

Location: The Octagon, The General, Guinea Street, Bristol, BS1 6SX

Guide: £810,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Savills Tel: 0117 9100 354 – Vicky Dudbridge.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Boat Home & Human Home

Boat Home & Human Home

Treehouse Boathouse, Ropes Hill Dyke, Horning, Norwich NR12 8JS

Treehouse Boathouse, Ropes Hill Dyke, Horning, Norwich

Agency narrative: A contemporary waterside home with integral wet boathouse and quay-headed mooring. The exceptional location in a backwater off the main River Bure adds to the appeal of this very special home which was designed and built in 2005 to the highest, uncompromising standards by a highly regarded local architect and built by Wroxham Builders.

Treehouse Boathouse, Ropes Hill Dyke, Horning, Norwich NR12 8JS View

Waterside Views Abound

Yes the price tag is handsome, but this has to be the top of the list for anyone who loves messing about in boats, or loves a waterside home. I mean just look at the ‘garage’. To be clear, the boat isn’t included, but what a wonderful place for a man-cave, or lady-den to be PC about this.

Treehouse Boathouse, Ropes Hill Dyke, Horning, Norwich NR12 8JS In Garage

Sorry Boat Not Included – But What A ‘Garage’ To Play With

Treehouse is an ideal riverside home with impressive accommodation on the first floor and a boathouse with a 36′ x 17’6 wet dock as well as a 36′ external mooring. There are four bedrooms, two en-suite, a double height reception room with balcony and a spacious kitchen/breakfast room which opens to the front balcony.

Location: Treehouse Boathouse, Ropes Hill Dyke, Horning, Norwich NR12 8JS

Guide: £775,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Arnold Keys Agency Tel: 01603 782053.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Stanley Park

Stanley Park – A Stroud Saga

Cotswold Conundrum

Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5LE

Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire

We first listed this amazing property located in the picturesque Cotswolds on 15th July 2012 when it was guided at £650,000. Just goes to show that the old Unique Property Bulletin Archive site can be of some use for seeing how past properties come back up for sale.

Since then, Stanley Park appeared on an estate agency website marked as “under offer” and a revised tag of £595,000 (click here). The owner up until the trail went cold was Cretra Investments Ltd. However a short while ago they appeared to have been liquidated (click here). The odd thing is that when you research in a little more depth, the debenture/debt secured was a minuscule £500 (five hundred pounds). Simple to confirm (click here). Readers who have experience in property matters will understand what this means.

Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5LE 6

Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Photo Courtesy of ASandP

In essence the company was NOT insolvent in the technical sense. As the solemn declaration states: click here.

If you haven’t already seen the new Companies House Beta system – which is now totally free – it is well worth trying it out. This Stanley Park property is one such case to study. Looking at the 2013 accounts the Fixed Asset is valued at £153,466. Checking the company accounts back to 2010 the Fixed Asset is valued at £146,783. There is a reasonable (though not infallible) deduction that this refers to the manor house (the slight uplift in asset on the books due to revaluation of the property for accountancy purposes). Of course you need to be a forensic accountant to probe some of these documents, and many don’t allow too much to be read into this. Even so it can give an instinctive feel for how things go behind the scenes, and is useful in informing your views on a project such as this.

However, this does give an interesting financial backdrop to this magnificent manor house. The next stage would be to either check HM Land Registry to discover the amount paid for this property in the recent past, or if it is being sold by a charge-holder (unlikely given the £500 mortgage and solemn declaration of solvency). For further tips on property research etc., you might find the Unique Property Manual helpful click here.

Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5LE 5

Interior of Character Awaiting Redevelopment: Stanley Park, Gloucestershire

This digression is to illustrate to any reader not yet utilising HM Land Registry and Companies House online facilities that they can be valuable in ascertaining values of property. Which in turn can help you negotiate a better deal. Especially for something as big as this building and when there is a question mark on the why and when – indeed the if – of previous sales given the place is now up for auction.

The question is that with four numbers: £650,000 sought in 2012; £595,000 asked for more recently, and a book value apparently at £153,466; then an auction guide of £750,000 – what will the actual auction sale price be?

If your interest is piqued, please let us know how you get on? This is an amazing building and looks to be in need of some t.l.c., to restore it to former glory.

Auction Summary:

Extending to Approximately 1,580 sq m (17,000 sq ft).

Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for Alterations to provide Eight Apartments.

Occupying a Site extending to Approximately 0.853 Hectares (2.108 Acres).

Car Parking and Gardens.

Potential for Alternative Uses subject to obtaining all necessary consents.

Location: Stanley Park, Selsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 5LF

Auction Guide: £750,000Auction Date: 17th December 2015

Further Details: Click Here. Then navigate Allsop’s website to locate Lot 184 (sorry we couldn’t give a direct one-click weblink. You’ll need to ask Allsops why they make that so difficult for us to help introduce folk interested in buying).

PDF Details: Click Here

Contact Allsop’s Auction Tel: 020 7494 3686. 

Please can readers mention to external agents/auctioneers that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Competition

Unique Property Competition

For November & December 2015, the Unique Property Bulletin competition prize is a modest £20 note:-

Twenty Pound Note Prize

Please Name This Unique Building & The Location…

UPB Competition Nov Dec 2015

The winner is the first drawn from our Competition Box at close of competition on 31st October 2015 – or more likely somewhat groggily on 1st or 2nd January 2016!

We are hoping to encourage the property sleuthing abilities each and every reader has with this edition’s competition. Best wishes and good luck from the Unique Property Bulletin Team

Email free entries to Unique Property Bulletin:-

Click Here For Competition Entry Contact Page

Nov 2015 – Architecturally Unique

Architecturally Unique

Please note, each edition we feature the work of a unique architect. These properties are usually NOT currently for sale, but are included to help inspire readers as to the talent that abounds when a good architect’s mind meets the imagination of a unique property person, and something that little bit special is created by the synergy.

 Passivhaus

Perry Pear Orchard, Barton On The Heath, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire 2

Artist’s Impression: Perry Pear Orchard, Gloucestershire. By Seymour-Smith Architects 

 Our Top & Commended Architect For This Unique Property Bulletin Are:

Seymour-Smith

Seymour-Smith Architects: Official Website

This edition commended architects are husband and wife team Chris and Helen Seymour and their Seymour-Smith architect firm.

Perry Pear Orchard, Barton On The Heath, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire MAIN

Artist’s Impression: Perry Pear Orchard, Gloucestershire. By Seymour-Smith Architects 

We are not overly keen when an estate agent titles a sales detail with the term “Grand Design” when the property being sold has NOT actually featured on the Grand Designs television series. Often this is clumsy click-bait by those describing their property in terms of the eponymous television programme.

However, exceptions to this do exist. Strutt & Parker are quite legitimate to invoke this popular programme, as the architects, Seymour-Smith have indeed been the author of an actual Grand Design project – Underhill House (click here).

So for this new addition to the Seymour-Smith architectural CV at Perry Pear Orchard, here is a firm of architects with the provenance to design in the Kevin McCloud Grand Design genre.

Location: Perry Pear Orchard, Barton On The Heath, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0PJ

Guide: £950,000

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Strutt & Parker Tel: 01608 650 502 – David Henderson.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

Nov 2015 – Try before you buy

Try Before You Buy

The property included within the try-before-you-buy section of the Unique Property Bulletin – is NOT for sale. Our endeavour is to provide a sample, and actual experience of what it would be like to live in any particular genre of unusual abode. This specific listing is for a short-stay break. Our offering for this edition:-

Boathouse Break

Dragonwood Boathouse, Oakham, Rutland

Dragonwood Boathouse, Oakham, Rutland

This picturesque property in a serene setting is available for holidays. Set in eight acres of its own private grounds within a magnificent country estate, just outside Oakham in Rutland.

Photo Selection: Click Here

Location: Dragonwood Boathouse, Oakham, Rutland

Guide: Starting from £510 per week – Click Here – then scroll down the page for more information.

Further Details: Click Here

Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here

Contact Unique Home Stays Tel: 01637 881183.

Please can readers mention to external estate agents that they found the place for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. This helps us keep this publication free for all readers.

INDEX

Click on the INDEX book cover above to access the DAILY UPDATED VIP INDEX for our Unique Property Bulletin treasures.

Original ISSN: 1460-5716

Copyright - 1987 to 2023 Inclusive: Alternative Househunter Guide (A5 Paper Format): 1987-1991 & Unique Property Bulletin Newsletter (A4 Paper Format) - 1992 to 2023. Unless otherwise attributed, all material, including photographs in all Unique Property Bulletin Newsletter (paper and/or electronic) editions are protected by copyright. As such the content within this publication may NOT be reproduced without the courtesy of prior written permission of the respective copyright holder. This will either be ourselves, OR the Creative Commons copyright owner, OR the Stock Photo (commercial supplier) Copyright owner. Thank you.

Our aim is to provide readers with a variety of unusual places to buy or rent on a regular basis, plus feature articles to help bring tired old buildings back to life. This publication is free to read. It is run on a not-for-profit basis by volunteers.

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