Brecon Beacons National Park, a place to value

28 August 2019

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Cooke & Arkwright’s Land Agency and Valuation departments have been instructed by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) to undertake an asset valuation in 2019 of all properties within their ownership. Set across seven separate local authorities, and comprising of assets including thousands of acres of mountain moorland, waterfalls, car parks, woodland, as well as Craig-y-Nos Country Park and the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus.

Chris Hyde, Associate Director with Land Agency said, “This is a particularly interesting instruction thanks to the huge diversity of assets within the BBNPA’s portfolio. It includes Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), numerous iron-age hill forts and even a hydro-electric scheme. As a bonus, it’s a truly beautiful part of the world in which to work.”

In addition to the valuation, Cooke & Arkwright have been awarded a call-off contract to provide on-going Land Agency advice to the BBNPA.

Chris added, “With such a huge area to cover, there are numerous issues raised in respect of all manner of property matters and we will be hot-desking at the BBNPA’s offices in Brecon on a regular basis in order to assist them with the management of their portfolio.”

The Brecon Beacons National Park covers 520 square miles and extends from Llandeilo and Llandovery in the west to Abergavenny in the east, and north to Hay-on-Wye in mid-Wales. Almost 14% of the park is owned by the NPA and about 250,000 people use the three Visitor Centres each year. The park was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2012.

Mansford has expanded its investment portfolio over the last few years. Over this time Andrew West has provided us with a full rating valuation service which has involved giving a view on liabilities prior to acquisitions, as well as conducting negotiations with Valuation Officers on our UK estate. The portfolio includes a wide range of properties from shops, offices and pubs to major leisure schemes. He has been particularly successful in mitigating our liabilities to empty property rate, which has been an issue on acquisition prior to implementing our development and letting strategy. I have no hesitation in recommending Andrew's expertise in rating valuation for all property types. The profile of property within his portfolio and the successes achieved are testament to his position as an extremely accomplished rating practitioner.

Leopold Hall, Partner, Mansford LLP