Issue 7
24 June 2011
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Comment Clouds and celebrations
The festival season is now upon us. Locally, the Sussex Show at Parham has just taken place and we can look forward to the 33rd Petworth Festival for three weeks in July. Leading performers include Julian Lloyd Webber and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, who are both celebrating birthdays, in a highly varied programme previewed in this issue.
FOR a DesiGn anD seRvice as UniQUe as YOU
There are still clouds over the property market, local and national. While prices are still coming down, many buyers are playing a waiting game. The London market is bucking the national trend and booming, but vendors there seem to be moving to the suburbs rather than buying in the country. Bidders at Christie’s London auction of Cowdray paintings in early July are expected to be in festive mood as a record price is in the offing for a Gainsborough portrait. Art historian Stephen Richardson reviews the paintings up for auction.
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Petworth
L O C A L AT T R A C T I O N S
festival
A giant lobster, birthdays, brass and boogie woogie all combine in Petworth in July for the 33rd annual Festival The fun begins on 9 July with the Town Fete in the grounds of Petworth House. There are four outstanding street theatre acts – stilt walkers, comedy with Dan The Hat, strolling music with the Swervy World Band and the completely daft Lobster à la Carte.
Gyles Brandreth offers an evening of wit; popular historian Dan Cruickshank provides a glimpse behind the scenes at some historic houses; and the comic talents of Steve Rawlings are aimed at the younger audience. Lobster à la Carte
2011
Festival-g oers at B
ignor in 20
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On 15 July more than 50 local schoolchildren work alongside the imaginative Armonico Consort, recreating the pomp and majesty of the coronation of Henry VIII. Narrated by Shakespearean actor Jeffrey Dench and featuring trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins, this fully staged event will launch the Festival performances in royal style. This Festival celebrates the birthdays of three pre-eminent musicians. Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber performs in his 60th birthday year; Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, 70 this year, will perform with jazz supremo Claire Martin; and composer Anthony Payne, originally from Petworth, celebrates his 75th birthday with a concert featuring a world premiere of a miniature by Sir Edward Elgar. West Sussex Young Musicians
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L O C A L AT T R A C T I O N S
Petworth Festival Highlights
9-30 July
Sat 9 July: Fete in the Park, 12 Noon, Petworth Park Fri 15 July: The Coronation of Henry VIII, recreated by the Armonico Consort, involving 100 local primary school children, 1pm and 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church
Fri 15 July: The Fitzrovia Radio Hour, Rip-roaring 1940s-style tales, 7.30pm, Leconfield Hall Sat 16 July: Festival walk, 5 miles, 2pm, Petworth car park; Sat 16 July: Steve Rawlings, Family friendly comedy (“Hilarious and original”, The Stage), 7pm, Leconfield Hall Sun 17 July: Julian Lloyd Webber, 60th birthday concert, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Tuesday 19 July: Sir Richard Rodney Bennett and Claire Martin, “A couple of swells the Irving Berlin songbook”, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Julian Lloyd Webber
Wed 20 July: Anthony Payne 75th birthday concert, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church
Classical music remains at the heart of the Festival. For anyone who believes this is not for them, an evening with the musical phenomenon Rainer Hersch will open their eyes – and ears. The first ever performance in the Stables Yard at Petworth House will feature boogie woogie genius Ben Waters accompanied by local real ales provided by the Langham Brewery at Lodsworth. Shakespeare lovers are bidden to beautiful Bignor Park for Twelfth Night by award-winning outdoor specialists Illyria.
Thurs 21 July: Giles Brandreth, 7.30pm, Leconfield Hall
Box Office: 10am to 1pm Tuesday to Saturday, 01798 344576, www.petworthfestival.org.uk
Sun 24 July: ‘Raise a glass with us’, join the Festival team for a drink, 6.30pm, The Angel Inn
Fri 22 July: Jazz in the Stables, featuring Ben Waters, Kelly Dickson and the West Sussex Young Musicians, 6pm, Petworth House Stable Yard
Giles Brandreth
Tues 26 July: Dan Cruickshank, The Country House Revealed, 2.30pm, Leconfield Hall Wed 27 July: Vienna Piano Trio, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Thurs 28 July: Leslie Howard, piano, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church
Thurs 28 July: Showstoppers, the improvised musical, 7.45pm, Leconfield Hall Sat 30 July: The Glory of Venice, performance of Italian baroque music by St Mary’s Church organist Roberto Micconi, the Australian Baroque ensemble and soprano Anna Sandstrom, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church Box office on 01798 344576 www.petworthfestival.org.uk Fitzrovia Radio Hour
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Prime A rt
Cowdray House
portraits
Art historian Stephen Richardson assesses the Cowdray paintings which are up for auction at Christie’s in early July The auction of works of art from the collections at Cowdray Park include five full-length portraits that feature in the Old Master and British Portrait sale at Christie’s on 5 July. Prime among these is an exceptional work by Thomas Gainsborough of Miss Read (Later Mrs William Villebois), which is expected to set a new record price for this artist of £4 million-£6 million. Painted in London in the mid-1770s, it was purchased from the Rothschild family by Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray, in 1919 for his London home at Carlton House Terrace, a centre of Liberal Party politics of the day. Frances Villebois (1726-1801) was the granddaughter of the celebrated brewer Sir Benjamin Truman. This painting reflects Gainsborough’s admiration for artists such as van Dyck, whose works he had studied while resident at Bath. Mrs Villebois is shown with her powdered hair high, surmounted by an ostrich feather, a fashion popularised at the time by Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Her dress is loosely based on 17th century styles that were then fashionable as masquerade dress.
Also depicted wearing masquerade dress is Frances Howard, Countess of Hertford (1578-1639) in a portrait by Marcus Gheeraerts II (dated 1611). With a guide price of £1 million-£1.5 million, this work was purchased by Harold, 2nd Viscount Cowdray, in 1931. Gheeraerts was a leading Court painter during the reign of King James I and a favourite of his Queen, Anne of Denmark. The sitter, one of the most remarkable women of her time, encapsulates the extravagance of the Jacobean court and the confidence of the Howard family who had been returned to power on the accession of the king. The 2nd Viscount furthered his acquisitions with a work by the outstanding English portrait painter Robert Peake, a contemporary of Gheeraerts and favourite of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. His portrait of William Pope, 1st Earl of Downe (1573-1631), also has a guide price of £1 million-£1.5 million. Pope is shown dressed as a Knight of the Bath, as he would have appeared at the Coronation of King James in 1603. Peake’s striking equestrian portrait of the short-lived Henry Frederick was purchased by the 2nd Viscount’s younger brother Clive and still hangs at Parham Park today. It seems likely that the triple portrait of a lady – thought to be Elizabeth, wife of William Pope, 3rd Earl of Downe (1596-1624), with her children – was purchased by the 2nd Viscount due to its family connection to the portrait by Peake. A work of the English School, subsequent opinion has suggested that the sitter is in fact Beata, sister-in-law of Countess Elizabeth and dated c1630. The estimate set for this work is £200,000-£300,000. The final lot is a portrait of George Douglas, 16th Earl of Morton (17611827) by Sir William Beechey, RA, also purchased by the 1st Viscount for Carlton House Terrace. Douglas is depicted holding a longbow in the dress of the Royal Company of Archers. The work was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1790 and is estimated at £500,000-£800,000.
Frances Howard, Countess of Hertford, by Marcus Gheeraerts II
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Robert Peake’s portrait of the 1st Earl of Downe
The author is an art historian, lecturer, and guide. Email: Stephen.richardson@lifemags.co.uk www.southdowns-property.co.uk
FINE
1 CLIFFORD HOUSE, PETWORTH 11 CLIFFORD HOUSE, PETWORTH CLIFFORD HOUSE, PETWORTH WEST SUSSEX GU28 0AH WEST SUSSEX GU28 0AH WEST GU28 PRICE GUIDESUSSEX £349,000 WEST SUSSEX GU280AH 0AH
PRICE GUIDE £349,000 PRICE GUIDE £349,000 PRICE GUIDE £349,000 DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLETELY REFURBISHED, EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH QU VEAN DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLETELY REFURBISHED,REFURBISHED, EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH QUALIT EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLETELY EXCEPTIONALLY APARTMENTS SITUATED IN THE TOWNS MARKET SQUARE AN EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT COMPLETELY EXCEPTIONAL APARTMENTS SITUATED IN OF THE TOWNSIN MARKET SQUARE APARTMENTS SITUATED THEREFURBISHED, TOWNS MARKET SQUARE APARTMENTS SITUATED IN THE TOWNS MARKET SQUARE
Petworth, West Sussex 3 g y in nl n O ai m re
Price from £275,000 to £349,000
An exclusive development of completely refurbished, exceptionally high quality apartments situated in the town’s Market Square * Communal Entrance Hall * Private Entrance Hall * Master Bedroom with En-suite Shower Room * ntrance Hall, Private Entrance Hall, Master Bedroom with Room En-suite Shower Room, Two Furthe Communal Hall,*Private Entrance Hall,Reception Master Bedroom with Ro * TwoEntrance Further Bedrooms Second Bathroom * Principal with Kitchen and En-suite Dining Area Shower * cond Bathroom, Principle Reception Room with Kitchen andTops Dining Communal Garden * Communal Gardens *Bathroom, Colour Video Entry Phone *Reception Solid Oak Kitchen Work * 5Kitchen RingArea, Gas Hob * Built-in * Bedrooms, Second Principle Room with and DiningOven Area, Co Communal Entrance Hall,Fridge Private Entrance Hall, Master Bedroom En-suite Shower * Built-in & Freezer * Fully Tiled Bathrooms * Built-in Wardrobeswith * * Wired for Surround Sound in Lounge Reception & Bathrooms * 37CDI Worcester Bosch Boilerand * Bedrooms, Second Bathroom, Principle Room with Kitchen Dining Area,
Entry Phone, Solid Oak Kitchen Work 5 Ring Gas Hob,5 Built Oven, Colour Video Entry Phone, Solid Oaktops, Kitchen Work tops, Ring in Gas Hob,Built BuiltIninFridge Oven, nce Hall, Private Entrance Hall, Master Bedroom with En-suite Shower Room, Two & F y Tiled Bathrooms, BuiltBathrooms, In Wardrobes, for Surround Sound in Lounge & Bathrooms, Freezer, Fully Tiled BuiltWired In Wardrobes, Wired for Surround Sound in Loung nd Colour Bathroom, Reception with Boiler Kitchen and 5Dining Area, Communal G VideoPrinciple Entry Phone, Solid Room Oak Bosch Kitchen Work tops, Ring Gas Hob, Built in Ove 37CDI Worcester 37CDI Worcester Bosch Boiler Freezer, Fully Tiled Bathrooms, Built In Wardrobes, Wired for Surround Sound in Lou 37CDI Worcester BoschBuilt Boiler try Phone, Solid Oak Kitchen Work tops, 5 Ring Gas Hob, in Oven, Built In F
Pulborough, West Sussex
Price Guide ÂŁ795,000 A unique, period barn believed to date from the 15th century set in the centre of the village with historical interest and a studio annexe * Galleried Reception Hall * Principal First Floor Reception Room * Kitchen/Dining Room * Studio * * Master Bedroom Suite with Dressing Room and En-Suite Bathroom * Further 3/4 Bedrooms * Further Sitting Room * * Two Guest Rooms * Two Further Bathrooms * Separate Studio with Open Plan Reception Room and Fitted Kitchen * * Plus Bedroom and luxury Bathroom * Mature Gardens * Parking for several cars and Car Port *
Petworth, West Sussex
Price Guide ÂŁ225,000 An attached mews cottage, hidden away in the centre of the town with parking * Sitting Room * Kitchen * Inner Lobby * Bedroom * Bathroom * Gas fired central heating * Garden area * Parking *
01730 262744
26 Lavant Street, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3EF
www.jacobshunt.co.uk
STROUD, NEAR PETERSFIELD
£425,000 – FREEHOLD
A delightful Rural Semi-Detached Victorian Cottage a few miles to the west of Petersfield LIVING ROOM WITH WOOD-BURNING STOVE : DINING ROOM : KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM : 3 BEDROOMS : BATHROOM : SHOWER ROOM : GARDEN : SUBSTANTIAL WORKSHOP
PETERSFIELD
£765,000 – FREEHOLD
An individual Family House with versatile accommodation offering: 5 BEDROOMS : 2 EN-SUITES : FAMILY BATHROOM : IMPRESSIVE-OPEN PLAN KITCHEN/DINING ROOM/FAMILY ROOM : SITTING ROOM : UTILITY ROOM : SOUTH-FACING BALCONY OFF BEDROOM 1 : DOUBLE GARAGE : PRIVATE GARDEN : PLANNING CONSENT FOR HOME OFFICE IN GARDEN
01730 262744
26 Lavant Street, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 3EF
www.jacobshunt.co.uk
PETERSFIELD
£985,000 – FREEHOLD
With 4.5 Acres, this lovely Family House is within walking distance of the town centre and mainline railway station having: 5 BEDROOMS : 3 BATHROOMS : LIVING ROOM : DINING ROOM : KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM : GAMES ROOM : HEATED SWIMMING POOL : LANDSCAPED GARDENS AND WELL FENCED PADDOCKS
HAMBLEDON
GUIDE PRICE : £700,000 – FREEHOLD
A lovely Rural Location for a Detached Family House with an Acre of Garden situated on the edge of the village with an open southerly aspect overlooking farmland. Accommodation of: 4 BEDROOMS : LIVING ROOM : DINING ROOM : STUDY : CONSERVATORY : KITCHEN : UTILITY ROOM : FAMILY BATHROOM : SEPARATE SHOWER ROOM : GARAGE
N ews
Top award for museum Yes to At the awards ceremony on 10 June in Amsterdam, Diana Rowsell, Head of Learning at the museum, was presented with a European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Award. The awards celebrated the most outstanding heritage achievements in Europe. The prize was presented by Plácido Domingo, the world-famous tenor and president of Europa Nostra, and Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
Lady in red: Diana Rowsell (centre) receives the award from Placido Domingo, and Androulla Vassiliou
The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has won a top European award for its historic building conservation programme. Consistency, sustainability and the affordability of the programme over the last 15 years were highlighted by the judging panel.
Top hole
Goodwood has been ranked in the top 100 of the 1,950 golf courses in England. Golf Magazine put the 7,104-yard downland course in 77th place in this first ever rankings list. Each course was judged by a panel of golf experts including double major winner Tony Jacklin, Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson, fourtime Solheim Cup captain Mickey Walker and broadcaster Bruce Critchley. Factors in 7th hole at Goodwood, which is ranked in the top 100 UK golf courses
England’s leading historic buildings’ museum, the Weald & Downland is in the heart of the South Downs National Park at Singleton, West Sussex. It has a long-established programme of training in historic building conservation since it started more than 40 years ago. The museum features more than 45 original historic buildings which have been rescued and carefully reconstructed. www.wealddown.co.uk
the judging included visual appeal, routing, conditioning and historical significance. After a £2 million remodelling scheme in 2006, six new holes ensured that Goodwood provided a challenge for the modern game while retaining the essential character of James Braid’s orginal design. Goodwood, which celebrates its centenary in two years, is regarded as one of the best downland courses in the UK. www.goodwood.com
Yurts!
The South Downs National Park Authority Planning Committee considered four applications at its second meeting on 13 June. They were for: a residential development following demolition of existing dwelling at Droxford; change of use from agricultural to leisure accommodation - using shepherds huts at Hambledon; seasonal camping in yurts at Fernhurst; and a waste recycling facility with ancillary skip hire/storage at Stedham. Permission was granted for 6-18 traditional South Downs shepherds huts at Brooks Copse, Hambledon, and change of use of land from agricultural to leisure. The Committee also granted permission for the change of use of a field from ‘agriculture and pheasant shoot’ to ‘agriculture, pheasant shoot and seasonal camping’ for up to 10 visitor yurts and tents at Lower Lodge Farm, Fernhurst, subject to further consultation and conditions. Andrew Shaxson, Chair of the Planning Committee, said that the shepherds huts and visitor yurts “will improve the provision of sustainable and affordable visitor accommodation within the National Park”. He added: “There was good debate by the committee members, and in all cases members of the public and local councillors took the opportunity to address the committee to make representations on matters of interest and concern to them.” Details of the applications and the planning officers’ recommendations are in the committee report available at www.southdowns.gov.uk/ planning.
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Residential Sales & Lettings 01730 233333 6-8 College Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4AD sales@neilanwilliams.co.uk lettings@neilanwilliams.co.uk www.neilanwilliams.co.uk
Petersfield
ÂŁ479,950
If you are looking for peace, tranquillity and idyllic views, this charming character cottage cannot be beat. Situated on the outer fringes of Petersfield at the end of a winding gravel drive which serves only four properties, this lovely semi-detached cottage offers almost complete seclusion. The substantial master bedroom suite enjoys panoramic views of the rear garden and open countryside beyond. There are two further spacious bedrooms, each with pretty outlooks. Downstairs, the large living room has attractive curved windows and a wood burner, and the kitchen-breakfast room has large panoramic windows to make the most of the views at the rear. There is ample scope to build a garage on the land to the front/side of the cottage if the new owner wishes (STPP). Neilan Williams recommends immediate viewings.
Liss
ÂŁ385,000
Situated towards the end of this quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of the shops and amenities at Liss village is this substantial detached family home. The property is set within a particularly large plot and offers a good degree of seclusion with mature trees (including a magnificent Willow) and a shallow stream which bisects the rear garden and is crossed via a miniature wooden bridge. The upstairs accommodation provides four good sized bedrooms and two bathrooms. Downstairs is a large formal living room, a good quality (horseshoe-shaped) timbered conservatory, a pretty dining room that leads directly onto a good sized kitchen via a wide arch, and a further substantial reception area which is currently used as a family/utility room. With the addition of a garage and off street parking for two cars, Neilan Williams believes this property offers everything a modern family could wish for.
Colin Williams
Toni Russ
Tony Collins
Liz Cribbley
Lisa Williams
Sharon Wright
Quintessential Character
Restoring properties in the South Downs National Park
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DEPENDENT ESTATE AGENTS
P ropert y u p d ate
1 CLIFFORD HOUSE, PETWORTH WEST SUSSEX GU28 0AH Nick Keith finds the property market in PRICE GUIDE £349,000 Petworth and the South Downs in pensive mood
A sense of puzzlement prevails in the local property market as DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLETELY REFURBISHED, EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH QU the festival season gets into full swing. While Petworth will have APARTMENTS SITUATED INfrom THE its festival takes place 9 to 30TOWNS MARKET SQUARE a chance to celebrate when July there are no signs of improvement in the general downturn in property sales and prices. The exception is London, where property prices at the top end are booming, apparently impervious to the recession. That ought to benefit the market in the South Downs area, where traditionally London sales have provided the spur and the cash for a family or couple to move to the country.
Wassell Barn, Ebernoe (Jackson-Stops & Staff)
However, agents are reporting a new trend: people who sell their London houses are often moving to the suburbs rather than seeking the idylls of Sussex or Hampshire. Andrew Ferrier at Jackson-Stops & Staff has noted this and says there is “a correction in the market, particularly at the top end where vendors’ expectations are lower”. While prices are going down, as the Land Registry figures show, he adds, buyers are looking for bargains and also for a potential exit from their investment. “This year we have had a good spring and early summer and we are ahead of our budgets, although we did reduce them last October. “ Houses valued at between £1 million and £2 million are selling more readily. And a house in Heyshott recently fetched £30,000 above the £850,000 asking price because of competition between two buyers. At the top end of the market Jackson-Stops are asking for more than £8 million for Graffham Court, between Petworth and the Cowdray Park polo grounds (see Pick of the Properties). Upperton House which is close to Petworth Park, dates from the 17th century and has 4 reception rooms and 5 bedrooms on 2 floors, with 6.5 acres and fine views of the South Downs. For £2.5 million. Wassell Barn in Ebernoe two miles north of Petworth is a 3-bedroom conversion set in 8 acres of “glorious countryside” with its own lake, in the heart of Petworth. Jackson-Stops are marketing Jevington Court in East Street jointly with Rosewarnes. This is a partly Tudor town house with planning permission to develop into two houses – either £545,000 for the whole or £335,000 and £215,000 for the two separate lots.
Market Square, Petworth (Rosewarnes)
and the rest with two from £275,000. Then there is the Mews “hidden away in the High Street”, an attached one-bedroom cottage with parking for £220,000. “At the end of the market where we operate, there is always something going on”, said Paul Rosewarne when we caught up with him in mid-June. “I think people are fed up with the gloom and there seems to be a sudden surge in the market. We have received three offers on houses in the last 24 hours.” Barrington & Co is “very busy”, reports Tim Barrington who founded his firm 23 years ago. “In my experience the property market in Petworth and surrounding villages started strongly in January and has shown no signs of slowing down,” he says. “May was our best month for agreed sales since the peak of the market in 2007. Realistic asking prices are crucial but there continues to be strong demand from buyers and we anticipate a good summer selling season ahead.”
Rosewarnes is offering a new development of four luxury flats at Cllifford House in the Market Square – one with three bedrooms www.southdowns-property.co.uk
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P ropert y u p d ate
He is offering 332 Grove Street, an attached period cottage within 500 metres of Petworth’s Market Square. It has a kitchen/dining room, sitting room with open fireplace, and study area and two double bedrooms; and more to the point, a walled garden and off-road parking, Guide price: £387,500. Ebenezer Chapel is another interesting Barringtons property in the middle of Petworth. This 18th century former Baptists’ Chapel in Park Street has been converted into a one-bed studio with a vaulted sitting room and kitchen/dining room for £235,000.
Ebenezer Chapel, Petworth (Barrington & Co)
Properties recently sold by Barringtons include an arts & crafts stable house in Duncton with 5 bedrooms and 3 reception rooms for around £1.5 million; a three-bedroom stone farmhouse near Petworth for around the asking price of £1.1 million; and the three-bedroom Hightown, built 20 years ago and near St Mary’s Church, for some £650,000.
South Downs National Park
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www.southdowns-property.co.uk
P ropert y u p d ate
In recent weeks Smiths Gore has started to market a new three-bedroom house in Bedham. Set in 1.5 acres the architectdesigned house has three bedrooms and planning permission to build an extension. East House in the centre of Petworth is a large Georgian house with three bedrooms and an antiques showroom on the groundfloor, but could get permission to revert fully to residential use. Guide price £795,000. As for flats, Peter Hughes is marketing one with two double bedrooms in Midhurst (at 3 Gate House) in an 18th century house for £275,000; and another at Bury House, once the home of John Galsworthy (The Forsyte Saga) with three bedrooms and communal gardens for £495,000. Bury House, Bury (Peter Hughes)
Peter Hughes, who established his firm more than five years ago, described the market as “tough but manageable. Prices have pegged back a little, and some vendors are now willing to take offers.” With an eye on character houses, Peter Hughes offers Home Park, an eight-bedroom Edwardian house, once part of the Blackdown Estate, which is on the northern edge of the National Park, north of Lurgashall. Set in 13.8 acres there are three reception rooms, and family room, a study and conservatory, all for just under £4 million.
Fowlers, with offices in Pulborough and Storrington, have a two bedroom flat in a converted country house in Burton Park Road, Petworth, for £245,000. Later this year Fowlers will market a terrace of three, two-bedroom cottages in School Lane, Fittleworth, with conservatories and off-road parking for approx £275,000 each.
In Petworth, Peter Hughes has the Garden House, Gore Hill. Once a gardener’s cottage this three-bedroom house has a large garden, stable block and three paddocks in 5.1 acres. Smiths Gore, which has traded since 1847, has one of their 29 offices in Petworth, where Daniel Clay acknowledged that the market was less strong than a year ago. “Sensibly priced houses will always sell, anywhere.”
Rough Meadow, Bedham (Smiths Gore)
Contact Barrington & Co, 01798 342242 Fowlers, 01798 875197 Jackson Stops & Staff, 01730 812357 Peter Hughes, 01798 344554 Rosewarnes, 01798 344134 Smiths Gore, 01798 343111
www.southdowns-property.co.uk
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South Downs Factfile Market activity
Mortgage lending up
Housing activity in May remained depressed due to fears over the economy and lack of mortgage finance, according to the latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK Housing Market survey.
The April data from the Land Registry (published at the end of May) shows a monthly house price increase of 0.8 per cent. This is the first time since January 2011 that the figure has been above zero and the largest growth seen since January 2010.
Only 5% more surveyors reported a rise in the number of house sales in May. The average number of completed sales per surveyor fell to 14.7 – the lowest level since January. However, more properties came to market and many stayed on surveyors’ books for longer with the average number of properties per surveyor increasing by 8.1% to 71.3 in May. Given the rise in stock levels and fewer sales during May, the sales to stock ratio – an indicator of the balance between demand and supply – fell to 20.6%, well below the long run average of 33.5%. Appetite to view property was down slightly, with new buyer enquiries 2% lower. New vendor instructions continued to rise. In May, 28% more surveyors reported house price falls – the lowest reading since January. London was the only English region where more surveyors saw rising rather than falling prices. In Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the price balance remains negative. RICS housing spokesperson, Ian Perry, said: “The economic outlook remains as important as the availability of mortgage finance in depressing demand. The appetite to rent is continuing to grow. And, with little new supply coming onto the lettings market, the cost of renting is increasing and will continue to do so.”
People selling houses in London are now tending to move to the suburbs instead of the rolling countryside
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The annual house price change is now -1.3 per cent. This is a smaller fall than last month’s figure. The average property value is £208,000 in Hampshire and £204,000 in West Sussex (£163,083 in England and Wales as a whole). The number of recorded property transactions has decreased over the last 12 months, from an average of 54,479 sales per month in November 2009 to February 2010, to an average of 46,818 in the same months a year later. The only significant price rises involved properties priced between £1.5 million (+27%) and £2 million (+28%) – categories which are well represented in the South Downs, and there are precious few of them in the Land Registry data.
London house prices The Nationwide Building Society and the RICS have both reported that house prices in London have outperformed the rest of the country – up 17% compared with 1% nationally in the last five years, according to the Nationwide. They are only 6% below their 2007 peak.
Property tracker The Building Societies Association (BSA) Property Tracker published in June covers familiar ground. Consumers are less negative about buying a property (down to 21%), although raising a deposit is more a worry than the purchase itself.. The BSA Property Tracker is a survey of 2,000 adults run by YouGov for the BSA to try to understand how people view the property market.
www.southdowns-property.co.uk
pic k o f t h e properties
Pick of the Properties
South Downs Property selects a range of interesting houses
Vale Farm, Monkwood, nr Alresford 5 bedrooms Large conservatory Extensive attic 22.7 acres
Agent: Carter Jonas 01962 842742 Guide price: £1.35 million
Graffham Court, Graffham 4 reception rooms 8 bedrooms Games room Equestrian & farm buildings
Agent: Jackson-Stops & Staff 01730 812357 Guide price: Offers in excess of £8 million
On the edge of the South Downs National Park in beautiful Hampshire countryside. Planning consent for ‘detatched garage and garden shed with living accommodation’.
Main house and two cottages (2 and 3 bedrooms), with long private drive in 132 acres. Near Petworth and Cowdray polo grounds.
Ripsley House, Liphook
The Vicarage, Steyning
5 Bedrooms 4 reception rooms Cottage flat/garage Swimming pool Tennis court
Agent: Chesterton Humberts 01730 261612 Guide price: £2.25 million
5 bedrooms 2 studies Galleried first floor sitting room Enclosed gardens 1/3 Acre
Agent: King & Chasemore 01403 264444 Guide price £975,000
Family house set in 3.2 acres dating from 1860s. Beautiful gardens and grounds.
Grade II Listed family home believed to date in part from around the 14th Century, with character features. In the South Downs National Park.
Woodland, Graffham/near Petworth
Pulborough
Attractive commercial and amenity woodland 60 years old As a whole or in 2 lots.
Agent: Batcheller Monkhouse 01798 872081
Lot 1: 11.1 acres of Scots pine, Douglas fir, and broad leaf trees. Guide price: £83,000 Lot 2: 10.9 acres of mature Scots pine and good views over heathland to the South. Downs. Guide price: £77,000.
www.southdowns-property.co.uk
3 bedrooms Detached period cottage Ideal for children
Agent: Fowlers 01798 875342 Price: £370,000
Pretty 18th century cottage in centre of village. Elevated position and
sympathetically improved over the years. Southerly views to the Downs.
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