Issue 154

Historic Wye Valley Glasbury House is set
for new adventure as it is put up for sale
A magnificent Wye Valley country house once a private home, a
rural retreat for underprivileged London children and currently
an adventure centre, could be set for a new future.
Glasbury House, in the border village of Glasbury, Powys, in
the Welsh Marches, which dates from the 1730’s when it was
built for a private family, has been put up for sale.
Once owned by a London council to provide holidays for
children from London, enlarged Grade II listed Glasbury House
has most recently been the privately-owned River Wye Activity
Centre.
The house, on the River Wye, was lived in by a succession
of family members from 1738 until 1954. The property was
acquired by Ilford Borough Council and the London Borough
of Redbridge in 1963. It was the London Borough of Redbridge
which converted the property into an outdoor activity centre.
Glasbury Outdoor Education Centre was run by Redbridge
Council for more than half a century to provide outdoor
activities for more than 1,800 pupils a year from schools in
London and surrounding areas.
But the centre was closed in 2015 after a council decided to cut
funding and stood empty until April 2019 when it was bought
and turned into the River Wye Activity Centre.
Offers are now invited for the sale of Glasbury House which is
listed by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price
of £1.2m.
Debra Bisley, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions who are
handling the sale of the property, said: “Glasbury House, its
grounds and facilities, in its unrivalled rural location is surely
the ultimate location, right on the world renowned River Wye,
for an outdoor activity centre. Everything you need is there; it
would seem everything’s ready to go.
“There has already been stirrings of interest from prospective
buyers in the property through word of mouth. I’m expecting
great interest in Glasbury House for a number of reasons not
the least of which being the growing demand for no fuss, eco
friendly ‘staycation’ activity type holidays. Glasbury House
would seem to be perfect to offer this type of multi-generational
holiday.
“Glasbury House would also make a fabulous family home.
“Situated on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon
Beacons National Park), on the banks of the River Wye,
Glasbury House is at the heart of the Wye Valley a popular
location for river fishing, canoeing, kayaking and for walking in
the Black Mountains.
“The site is located a short drive from the A438 which connects
directly several historic English and Welsh towns with the
cathedral city of Hereford. Additionally, it connects directly
to the M5 at Ashchurch near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire,
providing access to Cardiff, Bristol and London.
“The nearest train station is found in Abergavenny and the M4
motorway is accessed at Newport and the M50 at Ross-on-Wye.
“The well-presented detached, Grade II listed period property
built in the 18th century is made up of a main building of
commercial kitchens, a dining room, lounge, games room,
large toilet and shower block on the ground floor as well as
toilets and sinks upstairs next to the bedrooms. The house is
approached via a fine sweeping driveway, with a walled garden
and with most attractive, mature grounds.
“As well as the main house, there is also a bunkhouse
which sleeps up to 27 people. Originally a coach house
and stables, the building was converted in the 70’s to selfcatering
accommodation. The building is briefly comprised
of a commercial kitchen, a washroom containing five shower
cubicles with two wc’s, and a drying room to the ground floor.
On the first floor are five bunkhouse style rooms and bathroom.
A single storey extension was built in 2001 in architectural
sympathy with the original coach house. This compliments
the existing facility with a multi-purpose dining /common/
classroom, accessible toilet and wetroom and a further four
WC’s and showers, conveniently split into two separate
washrooms.
“Located within the grounds is a campsite that can sleep over
300 people. The campsite is a popular destination with families
and kayakers during the summer months. A storage block,
totalling 75.2sqm, is currently used as storage for outdoor
activity equipment such as kayaks and guide ropes.
“The house is surrounded by six acres of grounds which
stretch down to the banks of the River Wye. The grounds
include mature trees and a large vegetable patch, which make
for a great place for all sorts of outdoor education and activities.
The grounds are mostly comprised of laid lawn, but with a
sweeping driveway, staff parking area, mature trees. There is
also an attractive former walled garden, long stone walls and
large garden shed. There is also access onto the river bank,
locally known as The Bont.
“The site is currently being used as an education centre,
providing accommodation and outdoor activates to school aged
children. Additionally, there is a cafe and camping grounds on
the site. Subject to the relevant consents this property may be
suitable but is not limited to use as residential accommodation,
a wedding venue or further development.
“For further information regarding the site please contact Paul Fosh
Auctions as a number of additional documents can be supplied.”
Paul Fosh Auctions is inviting offers for the sale of
Glasbury House based on a guide price of £1.2m.
www.paulfoshauctions.com
For more information contact David Barnes at DB Public Relations
on 07866 148407 david.barnes@dbpublicrelations.co.uk
For sale: Glasbury House has a guide price of £1.2m
Undy Monmouthshire Guide Price £680,000
Detached five-bedroom home, recently constructed to high standard throughout, affording contemporary fixtures and fittings and a
versatile layout to suit a variety of needs. The accommodation comprises to the ground floor; reception hall, lounge, fantastic open
plan kitchen/dining/family room with island and French doors to rear terrace, utility, and a WC/cloakroom. EPC: B
Chepstow Office 01291 626775
Tutshill Chepstow Guide Price £585,000
Constructed in the 1950’s and offered to the market for the first time since 1980, Afonwy House comprises a delightful, detached
property occupying a sizeable plot extending to 0.34 acres and affording fantastic potential for substantial extension and
modernisation, to create a stunning family home in a most sought-after village location. EPC: C
Chepstow Office 01291 626775
Earlswood Chepstow Offers in Excess of £700,000
This spacious three bed country cottage is set in a pretty landscaped country garden. Outside the outbuildings include garage,
workshop, stabling including two large loose boxes and separate tack/feed room, hay and machinery store, polytunnel and
summerhouse. The land is divided into two fields and a small paddock extending to approx. 2.7 acres. EPC: E
Chepstow Office 01291 626775
Cartref The Narth Offers Over £600,000
A substantial detached property in an idyllic location at the end of a no through road, just a 10 minute drive from Monmouth
town. In the centre of its mature garden, offering plentiful scope for renovation or extension, this property offers large, light
rooms throughout with three reception rooms, three double bedrooms, a double garage and large, gated driveway. EPC: E
Monmouth Office 01600 712916
New requirements leading to invalid R&D tax relief claims
New UK regulations have introduced additional documentation requirements for research and development (R&D) tax relief claims, leading to nearly half of claims
submitted since August 8 being declared invalid by HMRC. This marks the first impact of compliance changes to R&D tax relief claims, with reduced reliefs for R&D
spending from April 2023 affecting innovative SMEs reporting financial periods beyond that date.
HMRC revealed that almost 50% of claims submitted with the new mandatory digital information forms have been completed incorrectly. Non-compliant
companies will receive letters from HMRC stating their claim is invalid unless they amend their returns, posing challenges for those who have procrastinated.
It’s uncertain how many claims were rejected between August 8 and September 30, but given 89,300 R&D claims were made in the UK for the tax year
2020-21, the number could be substantial. These new requirements aim to curb erroneous and fraudulent R&D claims. They mandate that each claim is
endorsed by a named senior officer, any advising agent is named, and costs must be categorized with detailed R&D descriptions.
HMRC has ramped up investigations into R&D tax relief errors and fraud, driven by the rise of unregulated R&D tax consultancies and the
financial burden of R&D tax credits after Brexit. In 2020-21, error and fraud for both R&D tax relief schemes amounted to £1.13 billion, or 16.7%
of claims, significantly higher than HMRC’s prior estimate of 3.6%.
For the tax year 2021-22, UK companies spent £44.1 billion on R&D, up £3.3 billion from the previous year.
Brook Estate Monmouth Guide Price £350,000
An incredibly unique four bedroom, semi-detached family home providing an abundance of character features throughout. The
house has been lovingly extended by the current owners with a large open plan kitchen/family room to the rear with utility room
and w.c. The rear of the house overlooks a sizeable private, level rear garden. There is ample parking to the front. EPC: C
Monmouth Office 01600 712916
The Rickfield Monmouth Guide Price £575,000
At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, in a desirable area of Monmouth with views of The Kymin and Wye Valley, this extended
bungalow offers flexible accommodation throughout with large reception rooms, three double bedrooms, two en-suite lavatories,
a well-established large garden, large double garage, gated driveway and an impressive view over neighbouring farmland. EPC: C
Monmouth Office 01600 712916
Additional changes to the R&D tax credit scheme are proposed, stemming from HMRC’s malpractice campaign and recent
consultations:
1. Unifying separate schemes: The government aims to introduce a single relief system, largely aligning with the RDEC (large
company) scheme, with some exceptions.
2. Subcontractor expenditure: Large companies may be allowed to claim for payments to subcontractors, expanding the
scope of qualifying expenditure.
3. PAYE cap: The more generous SME cap for companies is proposed instead of the more restrictive RDEC scheme
definition, potentially providing higher relief to some companies.
For questions or more information about R&D relief claims, contact your Azets advisor.
David Seymour
Senior Manager
Cardiff | 02920 549939
david.seymour@azets.co.uk
Bryony Lewis
Assistant Manager
Cardiff | 02920 549939
bryony.lewis@azets.co.uk
Courtfield Close Monmouth Guide Price £209,000
A well-presented, spacious modern property conveniently located on the edge of Monmouth within walking distance of the town,
with far reaching views towards The Kymin. The property is in a well-established quiet cul-de-sac enjoying a sunny aspect. Two
double bedrooms and a pleasant enclosed rear garden with side access. There is a garage and driveway for two cars. EPC: C
Monmouth Office 01600 712916
www.david-james.co.uk
Lower Church Street Chepstow Guide Price £265,000
Offered to the market with the benefit of no onward chain, 25 Lower Church Street comprises a two double bedroom, midterrace
cottage affording a range of character features and situated in this most sought-after location within the historic part of
Chepstow, within walking distance to an array of bars, restaurants, shops and schools. EPC: D
Chepstow Office 01291 626775