Irish eyes focus on England

Apr 28 2008 The Journal

A HUGE demand from Irish buyers for farms in England and Scotland is providing North farmers with the opportunity for retirement or lifestyle changes.

Carlisle land agency H&H Bowe is looking for sizeable farms across the region to satisfy a growing list of clients seeking to buy.

Farms of more than 200 acres are the main target with potential buyers wanting dairy units of 300 to 500 acres, mixed livestock units of 300 to 400 acres, mixed arable and livestock units of 1,000 acres and arable units of 2,000 acres.

During a recent three-day visit to Northern Ireland, the company’s sales team addressed audiences of more than 100 people each night, resulting in the land agency now having as many as 30 new potential buyers on its books.

“Already we have sold properties for people who are some years off retirement age and they have discovered there is a life after farming,” said Andy Dyer, of the land agency.

The demand is for farms of more than 200 acres which currently could have a market value of around £1m. At a sale, by auction, by the company last year, Lees Hill Farm, Brampton, made £1.26m for just over 300 acres.

Previously, interest from Northern Ireland buyers had been predominantly for dairy/livestock units of around 200 acres and primarily in south west Scotland.

Now the interest is for farms of all sizes, preferably 200 acres-plus as they seek larger ring fenced units in all areas.

There is also a keen interest in business and development opportunities and agricultural land with investment potential is also sought-after. The land agency’s director Julie Liddle said the interest was being fuelled by farming being extremely buoyant in Northern Ireland – with land at a premium.

She added: “In England and Scotland, buyers can get three times more land for their money.

“In Northern Ireland the best quality land is bringing £20,000 and £25,000 an acre”.