Decision details

Approval to sell Hardens Farm Houses and Traditional Buildings to the Highest Bidder from Best and Final Offers Received on 4 April 2025

Hardens Farms were originally semi-detached farms, let to the same tenant. This tenancy agreement was terminated by negotiation in September 2022 due to the Future Chippenham Project.

The land and modern buildings have now been let on a Farm Business Tenancy to a single tenant, who keep a small number of beef cattle on site and uses the land for silage and maize.

The property was declared as surplus on 15 July 2024, and after a tender process, Symonds & Sampson were chosen as the selling agent for the property.

The property went live on the open market on 25th February 2025 with “offers over £750,000” as the asking price. Throughout the viewing period, the agent was very helpful and kept Wiltshire Council up to date.

After a first offer being received on 11th March 2025 for the full asking price, it was decided that the property should stay on the market for a little while longer as there were more viewings booked.

On 26 March 2025, it was decided that, after being informed that there were three interested parties, the date should be set for “Best and Final Offers”, and so it was agreed to go with the suggested date of Friday 4 April 2025 at 5pm – as suggested by Symonds & Sampson. This was decided so that the original interested party wouldn’t back out, as well as the length of time to keep the property on the market.

On Monday 7 April 2025, Symonds & Sampson emailed through the offers they had received to Estates to review. The officers met via Teams to discuss the offers each in turn.

The best offer received for the property was for [redacted] unconditional. Proof of funds has been sent through with the offer. Please see the table [included in attached decision document].

The recommendation from Symonds & Sampson was to accept the highest offer, as “they are the most proceedable regarding financials and have a clear plan for the site. They have the most funds readily available and could pay deposit immediately.

Their offer is above the guide and significantly higher than the next offer.”

S.123 of the Local Government Act states that this exercise must obtain best value for the disposal of assets, which further backs the decision.

After a discussion between the officers aforementioned, an email was sent back to Symonds & Sampson on the same day stating that Wiltshire Council are minded to go with the highest offer, pending an anti-money laundering investigation was sent to begin the process to finalise the sale.

Some information relating to this decision is withheld as confidential or exempt under Part 5 of the Constitution Paragraphs 14.3 and 14.5.?

Information related to the parties and price will not be disclosed / published

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: No

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): Area board(s): N/A – operational decision delegated from Cabinet

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): NA - not using emergency powers

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation guidance and the views emanating from that process: NA - operational decision

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: Yes, this follows the relevant Asset Management Framework

Staffing, financial and legal implications: None

The assessment of any associated risks in accordance with the Council’s risk management strategy: N/A – operational decision delegated from Cabinet

Involvement of appropriate statutory officers and/or corporate directors and directors: N/A – operational decision delegated from Cabinet

Regional or national guidance from other bodies where relevant: S123 Local Government Act obligation to obtain best value

The council’s constitution, including the Procurement and Contract Rules (Part 10) and the Financial Regulations and Procedure Rules (Part 9), all relevant guidance, legislation, codes of practice, and protocols: Yes

Wiltshire Council could not accept any of the offers submitted
and remarket the property at a higher price to see if any more interest would be shown. This is not a viable option due to the amount of works required to the two houses and the traditional barn.

Another option could also be to take the property off the market and renovate the houses and traditional barn internally, and sell to make a profit. This is not an option due to budget constraints.