POST-Brexit fears for agricultural land values in South Lakeland have eased after nearly £8,500 an acre was achieved for auctioned farmland in Dent.

Seven lots formed part of the estate of Dr Helga Frankland, one of Cumbria’s foremost nature conservationists and a founder member of Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

They included two picturesque Dent farmhouses with land and single bank fishing rights.

Oliver Bateman, of agents Carter Jonas in Kendal, said: “Nervousness about the Brexit result didn’t really filter through with the land sales.

"Most of it sold very well with decent competition, especially on the Greenwood Haw lots, and all to people with local land interests. Given the many reasons for buyers to be cautious it was good to see land make almost £8,500 an acre in Dent.

“It was a slightly different story with the Greenwood Haw farmhouse which didn’t sell at the auction. We were pleased however to agree a private deal shortly after. Buyers of both farmhouses were from outside the immediate area and the prices achieved were sensible in the current, somewhat flat, residential market”

Auction results:

Greenwood Haw Farm and land

Lot 1 - Farmhouse, buildings, fishing rights and approx. 11.81 ac / 4.78 ha – sold privately after being withdrawn at auction for a figure in excess of £335k.

Lot 2 - Approx. 19.79 ac / 8.01 ha - sold for £165k (£8,337/ac).

Lot 3 - Approx. 3.13 ac / 1.27 ha - sold for £25k (£7,987/ac).

Lot 4 - Approx. 12.64 ac / 5.12 ha - sold for £95k (£7,515/ac)

Woodbridge House and land

Lot 1 - House, barn, fishing rights and approx. 1.36 ac / 0.55 ha – sold for £325k.

Lot 2 - Fishing rights and approx. 6.50 ac / 2.63 ha (access across a river, via ford) - sold for £25k (£3,846/ac).

Lot 3 - Approx. 154.94 ac / 62.70 ha Inc. Woodbridge Allotment – withdrawn at £145k but sold privately after the sale.