Unique Riverside Development Land For Sale
Excellent Investment Opportunity
On The Middle Thames
Residential or Commercial
Just a Stones Throw Away From
Runnymede
Heathrow Airport
The M25 and The Motorway Network
Mainline Stations with Fast Links to London
Windsor Castle
National Sporting Locations
Excellent Schools
.
The Property
We are pleased to be able to offer for sale a unique riverside plot of land with extensive frontage to the River Thames at Yeoveny in Berkshire. The site is located in an unrivaled location and might appeal to overseas buyers who would appreciate its closeness to Heathrow. Located very close to the historic meadows of Runnymede on a stretch of the river that would have undoubtedly played its part in the events that led to the signing of the Magna Carta a little over 800years ago. This Charter embodied so many rights of freedom enjoyed today by numerous countries throughout the world. One clause is of particular significance in that it granted the right to navigate the River Thames itself, a provision that still benefits riparian owners today.
Description
The freehold site extends to some 1.9 acres and is accessed from the Wraysbury Road by a private, gated, metaled drive of about a quarter of a mile. The site benefits from over 300 feet of mainstream private riverbank. Land of this size and privacy with direct access to the River Thames very rarely comes to the market. This unusual and very rare opportunity to acquire one of the few sites of this size left undeveloped presents an extremely attractive investment opportunity.
History
The property was purchased by the present owners in 1989 for use in connection with their extensive commercial riverboat enterprise. At the time the initial discussions with the local authority were positive and had been about the possibility of developing the site as a dry dock and moorings for commercial craft and loading and an unloading facility for barges. However business circumstances changed and the opportunity came for the company to acquire existing facilities further upstream. The project was therefore put on hold and it was thought that as the business expanded further it would be revived to cope with demand. Prior to this acquisition the property had been owned by a national gravel extraction company. It was the residual portion of a considerable land holding which remained after an extensive excavation programme had taken place on the adjoining site. Although originally the site had been the Riverside access for the residential property owned by a local brewing family it had formed part of the well known stock car racing circuit on the site which was closed to make way for the building of the Staines bypass and more recently the M25 motorway. The present owners have decided, that having sold the majority of their interests in their riverboat company that they would prefer to dispose of this site to concentrate on their other investments.
Opportunities
The site lends itself to a range of uses however the possibility of a residential development subject to planning would seem to be most appropriate. The vendors have commissioned one of the country’s most eminent town planners, Dr Malcom Bell to prepare a report on the site to establish the most suitable use. A copy of the report is available for principals from the vendor’s agents, along with an artist's impression and a site plan. The report’s executive summary recommends the site to be most suited to the development of ‘a high quality home of outstanding architectural and technical quality’ a to be built as an example of a construction designed specifically for the floodplain. The building of a well-designed extensive property could present to riparian authorities a design standard for future riverside residential construction on the flood plain. The vision is that the property would have no negative effect on floodwater levels and flow in fact it would offer considerable improvement. Furthermore with connecting walkways to parking areas on higher ground the property would not require support from outside services in a time of rising river levels. It would also benefit from elevated patio garden facilities. It is proposed that there will be sustantial ‘boathouse’ moorings below the property for the owners as well as visitor moorings off the mainstream, accessed by a private inlet, which could also be ‘gated ‘ to maintain privacy (it should be noted that the RBWM planning policy comments that it will consider applications for boathouse properties to be built on piles). The inlet itself would provide an important flood defence benefit serving to increase water capacity on the site. In addition there could be provision made for further moorings alongside the riverbank.
It is envisaged that landscaping around the development would provide an area encompassing the existing trees benefiting potential residents with the privacy they provide whilst still allowing excellent views to the river.
Other Uses
Although Dr Bell considers residential to be the most appropriate and indeed the most beneficial use of the site, it may indeed present itself for other uses. For some time now commercial freight operators have been considering the use of the River for the movement of goods including aggregates and waste. The site benefitting from good road access could provide first class wharfage facilities with little or no development for the purpose, particularly when one considers that ‘Grundons’ West London waste recycling and disposal centre is located only one junction up the motorway. Another potential use would of course be for boatyard or marina facilities, worthy of note is that it is the only potential access route from the River to the adjoining lake, part of the former gravel workings in the area, similar pits have been developed into marinas or more recently been identified as suitable location for ‘floating homes’. This critical location could further improve the percieved investment opportunity.
Whilst it is Dr. Bell's recommendation that a substantial, single, high-quality residential development would be most appropriate he does not exclude the possibility of using the site for which it was initially intended. Commercial use as envisaged in 1989 is still a very suitable possibility. The fact that boatyard activities can by their very nature only be carried out along the riverbank makes this a particularly appropriate site for this purpose. The proximity of the site to the key motorways in the area presents clear opportunities for linking road and river transit facilities.
Summary
A property of this size and privacy rarely comes to the market and as such we consider it to be unique. It is worthy of note that it would appear that there are no other potential sites for development along the length of the River within the whole of RBWM’s jurisdiction. The majority of land along these reaches of the Thames is protected from development by being owned by The Crown, Eton College or The National Trust.
Location
.5 mile from M25 jct 13 for M4 ,M3 and M40
3 miles Terminal 5 Heathrow Airport
Mainline stations at Egham and Staines for Waterloo
1 mile Staines upon Thames
7 miles Windsor
Schools
Eton College
Wellington College
Together with a range of excellent state schools
Facilities
Tourist attractions, Winsor Castle, Thorpe Park, Legoland
Shopping
Hotels
Restaurants
River events including Henley Regatta
Racing at Ascot, Windsor, Kempton Park, all of which are less than 20minutes drive away
Boating
The River Thames is navigable for large pleasure craft upstream from the site to Windsor, Henley and beyond and downstream to Hampton Court and London. In addition there are good restaurants, pubs and shops, which the owner could cruise by launch to in less than 30 minutes.
Windsor is about an hour and a half by boat.
Price
We are seeking offers in excess of £1.25m for the freehold interests of this unique property.
Further information
Dr Bell has confirmed that subject to a sale contract being in place and negotiation he would be prepared to act for any purchaser of the site to assist with the obtaining planning consent. Furthermore the vendors have also indicated that they would be happy to assist in any way possible bringing to the negotiating table many years of expertise in commercial river related activity.
Contact
To arrange a site viewing or to discuss the matter further, potential purchasers are asked to contact the vendor’s agent Mr Brian Warren of Fine and Country telephone number (07860) 177756. The vendors have indicated they are also happy to meet with prospective purchasers to discuss the matter if it were considered beneficial. Appointments should be made through Mr Warren’s office.
