KIRKBRIDE AIRFIELD, KIRKBRIDE

PROPERTY/LAND DESCRIPTION

‘Former World War II Airfield with enormous potential’

Kirkbride Airfield, Kirkbride, Cumbria, CA7 5HP

Distances: Wigton – 5.7 miles, Carlisle – 13.4 miles, Penrith – 28.2 miles (All milages are approximate). What3Words: ///northward.tripods.happening

Guide Price: £1,500,000

In all about 160.77 acres (65.06 hectares).

Offered for sale as whole, offers for part may be considered.

For sale by Private Treaty.

History: 

Royal Air Force Kirkbride opened in June 1939 predominantly as an aircraft repair depot, far enough away from the threat of enemy aircraft. After the Second World War, the site remained open as a maintenance unit and disposal airfield for redundant aircraft, closing in 1960.

Summary:

The sale comprises of a significant portion of the former World War II RAF Kirkbride, including significant runways, hard standings and access ways. Between the runways and service roads are a series of agricultural fields which are predominantly good quality meadowland. The sale also includes a control tower and club house with office, WC and kitchen facilities, adjacent to which is a steel framed aircraft hangar. There is also a helipad near the control tower and a further redundant building in rougher pasture to the south. Beyond aviation, the site is used for a number of events which generate additional income, such as motorsports, storage and demonstrations. Kirkbride Airfield also offers a significant range of opportunities for futher development and commercialisation, subject to consents. The scale of the site is well suited to storage, logistics, manufacturing or leisure uses.

Hangar

The hangar is a steel portal frame building with concrete apron adjacent (20m x 24m). The building provides ad-hoc storage for aircraft and is a steel frame construction ,with steel profile roof and cladding and a concrete floor.

Disused Building

South of the core site, is a brick built former service building associated with the historic RAF use, this sits within a grassland parcel and although derelict, could be repurposed or developed (Subject to consents).

Control Tower

The Control Tower extends to approximately 753 sq.ft over three floors and includes a reception, club house, meeting rooms and office, with WC and kitchen facilities. This could be further developed into a range of uses (subject to consents).

Runways

The principal runway is predominantly included in the sale, with two sections leased from third party adjoining owners, to complete the full runway for ease of operation. The secondary runway is partially grassed over, and the remainder used for model aircraft, storage or events.

Land

Between the runways and service roads, there are a series of agricultural fields which are predominantly good quality meadowland, but have historically provided arable acreage. There are further areas of land which are rougher permanent pasture to the south of the airfield. The land is Grade 3 with soils from the ‘Rockcliffe’ series, typical to the area, a deep silty and fine sandy soil.

Breakdown of Areas

• 104.75 acres of arable and temporary grassland
• 32.84 acres of buildings, runways, former runways and perimeter tracks
• 23.81 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing, including the dog agility field

General Remarks

Tenure

The site is occupied on a series of short term arrangements, the farmland being let on annual grazing or mowing licences to local farmers, the hangar building provides light aircraft storage on an ad-hoc basis, the control tower and office forms a base for a company operating from the site selling aviation fuel. There is a small paddock to the north east corner adjacent to the road which is occupied and used for a dog walking and agility business. Other income streams include grant scheme over the farmland, aircraft landing fees and various other short terms uses, such as demonstration days, storage and motorsport events.

Rights of way, easements & wayleaves 

The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all wayleaves, easements and rights of way whether public or private, whether mentioned or not. Typical of former airfields, various reciprocal private rights of way cross land, runways and service roads.

Services

Mains electricity (60 kVA 3 phase supply) and mains water, with private drainage. The private drainage system is unlikely to comply with current regulations and will require replacement by the purchaser with a new system.

Subsidies and Grants

The land is registered on the Rural Land Registry. We are not aware of any stewardship schemes or agreements. The land is within an Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement, however this is non-transferable and will terminate when the property is sold.

Sporting Rights

The sporting rights are included in the sale in so far as they are owned.

Mineral Rights

The mineral rights are included in the sale in so far as they are owned.

Sale Conditions

The property is sold without sale restrictions, overage, or clawback.

Business Rates

It is understood there are no business rates payable for the site.

Tenure

The freehold of the property is offered for sale with vacant possession on completion, subject to aforementioned licences and agreements.

VIEWING: – VIEWING IS STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT THE SELLING AGENTS TO ARRANGE A FORMAL APPOINTMENT TO VISIT. 

Money Laundering Regulations

Please note that in connection with the Money Laundering Regulations (The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017), we are legally required to carry out money laundering checks against Tenants. To enable us to complete these checks, Tenants will need to provide along with their offer, proof of primary (E.g. Passport) and secondary (E.g. Current Council tax or utility bill) identity documents. Failure to provide this information may result in an offer not being considered.

KEY FEATURES

• Significant runways, hardstanding’s and helipad, control tower and offices, modern hangar with taxiway, productive grassland and arable
• Established aviation fuel sales locaiton
• Potential for diversification to commercial, logistics, leisure or holiday uses (subject to consents)
• Accessible location with good road connections
• Total income in the region of £60,000 per annum
• Guide Price – £1,500,000

DIRECTIONS