Parcel 1, Former Arborfield Studios, Langley Common Road, Barkham, Wokingham, RG40 4TS

Key Points

Site Location

The Site is accessed via Langley Common Road which links the villages of Arborfield and Barkham. Central Reading lies approximately 7 miles north west, Wokingham town centre is situated 3 miles north east and Junctions 11 and 12 of the M4 Motorway are situated 4.7 miles north west and 4.5 north east respectively. Junction 4 of the M3 Motorway is situated 11.1 miles to the south east.

Along the southern boundary of the Site is Arborfield Green, a residential lead development. To the north and eastern boundary is rural land.

Heathrow Airport is approximately 35 minutes drive from the Site.

We refer you to the map extract within the marketing particulars for further information.

Site Description

The site comprises part of the former Arborfield Garrison which was vacated in 2015. The Site and most of its buildings have since been used as a film studio complex with 3 no. filming stages and numerous supplementary warehouses, workshops, offices and amenities.

The site includes several areas of tarmac and concrete hard standing, most of which could be secured via fencing.

Some buildings situated within the site have been decommissioned.

The OS plan within the particulars of sale shows the entire site edged red.

Planning

The Site was subject of a successful planning application (ref. 162881) determined 2nd February 2017 for “temporary planning permission for the use of land for filming, incorporating temporary change of use of existing former barracks buildings from Use Class Sui Generis to Use Class B1*, and the use of the site and hard standing for parking and storage, with associated access.”
*Use Class B1 now constitutes Use Class E.

The above temporary permission is due to expire 1st February 2026.

The above temporary permission is subject to the following time restrictions:

Filming Hours Permitted:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 8am to 1pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: Not permitted.
Late Night (limited to no more than 28 days per year): 8pm to 12am.
Overnight (limited to no more than 10 days per year): 12am to 8am.

Associated Activities Permitted:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: Not permitted.

The Site is part-subject of a residential lead development with planning consent (ref. 140977).

Offers will be considered on an Unconditional or Conditional basis, subject to planning only. If required, the landlord will consider obtaining temporary planning consent for an alternative use for up to 5 years.

Business Rates (2023/2024)

The Site is currently rated as a single entity described as “Film studios & premises”. The Rateable Value as per the most recent valuation date of 1st April 2023 is £2,880,000, however, the landlord has received notice from the Valuation Office Agency that the Rateable Value as of 1st April 2023 will be reduced to £600,000.

Services

Gas, electricity, water, drainage and broadband services are available on site and to most buildings. Where these utilities are on a private MoD network the tenant will be required to pay for usage to the landlord directly. The tenant will be expected to manage and maintain utilities within the site themselves, or to cover the costs of the landlord managing these in addition to the rent agreed.

The total electricity capacity available to the site is currently up to approx. 1.3 MVA.

Parcel 1 - Description

Parcel 1 contains the majority of buildings which make up the Site, with mostly level tarmac and concrete roads and yards in-between. Most buildings benefit from HGV access.

Building 20 known as “Stage 3” is equipped as a filming stage with gantry cranes and benefits from a reception, offices, WCs and kitchen facilities. The minimum eaves height is 8.3m.

Parcel 1 - Accommodation

Comprising 12 units ranging in size from 1,690 sq ft to 34,506 sq ft, providing a total availability of 148,658 sq ft (GIA). Please refer to the marketing particulars for a full accommodation schedule.

Parcel 1 - Site Area

The total site area of Parcel 1 is approx. 10.80 acres (4.37 ha). A plan of the site can be seen within the marketing particulars.

Terms

The site is available to let on full repairing and insuring terms to be agreed.

Where use of the gantry cranes is required, the tenant will accept all health and safety liability for their maintenance, inspection and safe use. Where these are not required, the landlord will make these secure.

Legal Costs and VAT

Each party to bear their own legal costs. The property is elected for VAT.

Anti-Money Laundering Regulations

To comply with Anti Money Laundering regulations, Haslams Surveyors LLP undertake ID checks for all successful purchasers and tenants where legislation requires us to do so.

Viewings and Enquiries

All enquiries should be directed to the landlord’s sole agent:

Mr Ed Ponting
Haslams Surveyors LLP
Apex
Forbury Road
ReadingRG1 1AX
Telephone: 07921 404659
Email: edponting@haslams.co.uk

Viewings of the Site are by appointment only via Haslams.

Please note that parties must not enter the Site without our prior authority and any inspection of the Site is at the prospective occupier’s risk.