_Emblehope and Burngrange Estate – the next chapter

Knight Frank assisted the Kennel Club in purchasing the Emblehope and Burngrange Estate in March 2016 (featured in the Rural Report 2017). Consequently, Knight Frank were instructed as managing agents for the day to day running of the estate whilst focusing on the main objective, set by the Kennel Club, to create “a centre of excellence” for gun dog training.

The Estate has significant environmental importance due to its SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) designation, so it was crucial that a strong relationship continued with Natural England.

Our Head of Rural Asset Management in the South West, Edward Dixon, put a management plan in place to balance the importance of the SSSI with the practicalities of running a sporting enterprise and farm. This relationship is ongoing, with new environmental funding options being reviewed at the moment.  

Our management framework included a detailed property review that identified a range of projects that were undertaken; a full renovation of the game keeper’s cottage, upgrading the main farmhouse, improving facilities and buildings at the farmstead and constructing a building at the centre of the estate to complement the new sporting enterprise and welcome visitors.  

The remoteness of the estate brought many challenges. Basic services needed upgrading or installing and many land based improvements needed consultation and consent from Natural England: a rigorous process! The works were concluded with the opening of The Alan Rountree Lodge in October 2018. The Lodge is the hub of the estate and now welcomes all visitors. 

The farming enterprise, with the farm manager and improved facilities and additional buildings, continues to support the management obligations of the Environmental Stewardship Agreement and the SSSI requirements: an important element with the estate’s environmental significance and funding receipts.

The estate was acquired primarily for working gundog trials, so whilst seeking and enhancing other revenue opportunities (namely the estate’s woodland), the sporting and dog trials remains the strong focus. 

The enterprise is now in its second year and making significant strides forward. Increased bookings and successful trials make it easy to forget the hard work needed to establish and progress the enterprise. There are still regular meetings and consultation with Natural England over bird numbers, pen locations, infrastructure, scrub planting and fencing. 

The Emblehope and Burngrange Estate has exciting times ahead and Knight Frank are privileged to be part of it.

The Kennel Club have commented, “It’s been a productive and busy couple of years since we acquired the Estate in 2016. We’re grateful for Knight Frank’s advice and expertise during that time, and look forward to continuing the relationship as we develop the estate further in the future.”

How can we help? Knight Frank’s Rural Asset Management Team provide flexible rural consultancy services tailored to every aspect of owning, investing in and running rural property, from farms and farmland to rural estates.