[2025] UKUT 256 (LC)

The hereditament extends to about 120 acres and includes farm land, areas used for growing Christmas trees, a building of 2,346.1m² and a large gravel car park. Latterly part of the site has been used for caravan storage and a substantial number of shipping containers have been placed around the boundary of the car park. Neither of these elements are included in the assessment under appeal. Mr Schroeder’s father owned the farm before him and began to grow Christmas trees in 1955.

The hereditament is situated on a narrow lane known as Gravelly Bottom Road, about half a mile west of the village of Kingswood. Maidstone is about 5 miles to the northwest and both the M20 motorway and the mainline railway can be accessed at Hollingbourne which is 2.25 miles to the north of the Property. The plan below, which was produced by the VO referencer in 2022 shows the parts of the Property that are included in the assessment. The part of the Property labelled “Ag barn” in the plan below was excluded from valuation as exempt.