A huge slice of land in the Pillmere Valley, Saltash, has been put up for sale with a guide in excess of £5 million - the bulk of it likely to net riding stables owner Jackie Du-Plessis a fortune.
Miss Du-Plessis, 31, has put around 45 acres on the market, having decided to sell the farm which had been in the family for l00 years. Her decision was prompted by the fact that the farm had lost several acres due to the building of the Saltash bypass, and is now surrounded by development.
Eventually it is likely that 56.5 acres of the valley will be built on, providing up to 550 properties.
Miss Du Plessis said that the land has not been sold yet, and she is taking nothing for granted, but she aims to move to the country and stay in the equestrian business when it is purchased by another owner.
She said that she loved the farm, but putting in the A38 led to the land being surrounded by an industrial estate and houses. She said the main A road also meant that it was not practical or safe for racehorses.
She added that it had been in the local plan for 20 years, but 'we had a lot of trouble with planning permission.'
Four landowners have instructed agents Knight Frank to sell the 56.5 acre site, bordered by Callington Road, the A38 and a wooded stream. Knight Frank term it as 'one of the largest blocks of residential development land to come on to the market in the South West for a number of years.' They add that outline planning permission for residential development on the site was granted on 12 November last year.
Considerable interest is expected from major house builders, either individually or in the form of a consortium.
Their details explain that most of the land at present comprises open countryside, and about 24.62 acres of it is designated for landscaping and open space. Existing buildings within it include a farmhouse with a range of equestrian buildings, a bungalow and a further house with domestic outbuildings.
The land is to be sold by informal tender, with bids to be received by the agent by mid March.