BrattonFlemingstation 'friends'launchappeal
CLIFF
URGENTefforts are being madeto buy the old Lynton & BarnstapleRailway(L&BR) Bratton Flemingstation, now known asLongAcre.
The property is a converted two-bedroom house,with 0.63 acresof land coveringa section of the closedtrackbed,including platformsandthe old goods yard on the L&BRbetween BlackmoorGateand Chelfam.
It cameon to the marketin earlyMarchwith offersin excess of £325,000invited.
ExmoorAssociates(EA), which acquiresproperty on the southernsectionof the old L&BR route to secureit for potential future reopeningof the line, arrangeda viewing for March24, and initiated efforts to raise money prior to submitting an offer.
Undisclosed
The viewing was cancelled by the agent asthe coronavirus crisistook hold, but on
April 16 EAwas informed an undisclosedoffer made by another party had been accepted by the vendor.
However,on May 29, EAlearned the housewas back on the market, prompting a renewedattempt to secure the property.
The Friendsof Bratton Fleming station has been establishedasa separateentity from EAand the L&BTrustwith the objective of raisingthe cashby offering 700 £500'slots' (purchaserscan buy multiple 'slots') for part-ownership ofthe property. Buying'slots'assumes agreementthat acquisitionof the station is solelyto facilitate future reinstatementof L&BR.
Crucial
Bratton Flemingstation is not on the trackbedfor which L&B Trusthasplanning permissionto extend the current railway,but is crucial if long-term aspirations of extending L&BRbackto Barnstapleare to be achieved.