Yahoo News 'Lonely' cottage taken off market after failing to sell for two years
Three Blea Moor Cottages in Whernside, North Yorkshire, has no electricity or water and is usually accessed by 4x4 or quad bike.
A derelict cottage which went on sale as one of the UK's remotest properties has been taken off the market after failing to sell for two years.
Three Blea Moor Cottages has no mains electricity or water and sits next to England's most remote signal box on the Settle to Carlisle train line - a 20-minute walk from the nearest parking spot. The cottage was originally built for workers by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in the 1940s and is the last survivor of a row of three properties.
The three-bedroom house was put up for sale in 2022 with a price of £300,000. After failing to sell, the owners dropped the price to £250,000, prompting it to come under offer. But the ramshackle house in Whernside, North Yorkshire, has now been taken off the market after still not attracting a buyer, estate agents confirmed.
Despite its price tag the cottage is derelict and in need of extensive work, with bare walls and mould damage. Pictures show bedrooms with peeling wallpaper, while the ramshackle kitchen appears to be the best maintained room in the property, with a range cooker and exposed brick wall.
The cottage's former occupants generated electricity through a windmill, while their water was transported by a trailer.
Prospective buyers were advised that they would need to use a 4x4 vehicle or quad bike to get close to the address, which sits in the shadow of Whernside, the highest peak in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, because of how remote it is. The house was previously advertised as a commercial opportunity, with estate agents saying it could be a holiday home or bunk house.
Great potential
When it was initially listed, estate agents Fisher Hopper said: "The property presents an interesting investment, with a range of potential commercial opportunities apparent: private holiday home, unique AirBnB style experience, bunkhouse or refreshment stop on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge route.
"Plans will be subject to the necessary consents - this is in the heart of the National Park - but for the right buyer with vision, there is great potential here."
The property's previous owner John Myerscough was served with planning enforcement action by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in 2010 after storing a large quantity of scrap vehicles and waste on the land, including five disused oil tanks, a caravan, a small digger and two shipping containers. He complied with the order and the site was cleared.
What to look out for if you're buying a derelict property
According to estate agents Jones Robinson, buying a derelict property can be a great way to get a bargain, create your dream home, or make a profit from the renovation. But they advise to be mindful of a few things before buying a derelict property to avoid it turning into a nightmare.
First, you should have its structural integrity checked, so seek advice from a surveyor. It's also worth looking at its location and what you plan to do with it, as well as the feasibility of any renovation. You should also check any regulations or permits associated with the property or location.
As with any property renovation, you should assess the costs you're likely to incur for your project and the potential return, as well as the market demand for what you're planning.
House prices fall in 2023
Figures released earlier this month revealed that the average UK house price fell by around £4,000 in the 12 months to December 2023.
The typical house price in December 2023 was £285,000, marking a 1.4% decline over 12 months, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Property values fell annually by 2.1% in England and by 2.5% in Wales.
House prices increased annually by 3.3% in Scotland and by 1.4% in Northern Ireland. Within England, house prices in the North West recorded the highest annual percentage increase over the 12 months to December 2023 (1.2%), while London had the biggest fall in house prices (falling by 4.8%).
The West Midlands was the only other English region to record an annual increase in house prices, at 0.3%.
Aimee North, head of housing market indices at the ONS, said: “Our initial estimate of UK house prices shows another annual fall in December, however the pace of decrease has slowed since the previous month.
Read more
UK's top property hotspots revealed (Yahoo Finance UK)
Plans for 173 new homes on 'historic derelict land' (Glasgow Times)
Villagers back new cottage and ponds on site of 'eyesore' derelict home (Eastern Daily Press)
