• • A rare opportunity to purchase an idyllic piece of Mid Wales countryside
• • A fish & recreational lake/reservoir & surrounds
• • A natural haven for wildlife & fishing together with potential commercial uses
• • Situated in a peaceful location, close to a friendly hamlet, 2 miles from Llanidloes
• • Suitable for recreational, enviromental or commercial purposes

Llyn y Fan/Van Pool is a reservoir extending to 8.65 acres (3.50 hectares) with adjoining land of 3.82 acres (1.54 hectares) totalling 12.47 acres (5.04hectares).
Natural Resources Wales have the site designated as a reservoir which is registered with NRW. The lake is a well established trout fishery containing native brown trout, which has also been supplemented by stocking both brown and rainbow trout. The lake is naturally fed and flows into the Afon Cerist. The lake is now a haven for wildlife and has potential to be used for recreational and commercial uses together with a useful detached boathouse which was the former gun powder store which is pine cladded inside.
The site lies on the edge of the hamlet of Y Fan with housing, community hall and a friendly spirit. The market town of Llanidloes being some 2 miles distant with its attractive historic black & white former market hall in the centre has an interesting array of shops, cafes and facilities. A number of tourist attractions surround the area including the Clywedog Reservoir, Hafren Forest and the coastal university town of Aberystwyth some 32 miles distant, Shrewsbury 48 miles and Machynlleth approx 18 miles.

HISTORY OF THE SITE
Coed y Fan lies on the site of the former Van Mine, which was one of Wales' most productive lead mines during the late Victorian age. Van was one of numerous metalliferous mines in Mid Powys, which includes the Bryntail and Penyclun mines lying just to the west of Van. Indications of metal-rich deposits east of the Penyclun mine prompted the search for lead ore at Van.
After several years of prospective digging, a rich vein or 'lode' of lead ore (galena) was discovered in 1865 and mining began in earnest. The first ore was sold in 1866 and production rapidly increased, reaching a peak of 6,850 tonnes of lead ore and 2,000 tonnes of zinc in 1876. By 1870 the mine employed 500 men and boys. The value of the mine's shares reflected its output increasing twentyfold between 1868 and 1870.
A single line railway was constructed in 1871 to carry lead ore from Van to nearby Caersws 6.5 miles away. Ore was brought down for initial processing or 'dressing' via a tramway. Dressing involved sorting, crushing and washing the mined rock to produce small pieces of galena ready for smelting. The processed ore was then loaded into wagons inthe railway tunnel ready for transportation.
The mine's productivity dropped after the price of lead fell sharply in the late 1800s and the mine changed ownership several times. Mining was ultimarely suspended in 1920 and the shafts allowed to floor with water in 1921, effectively marking the end of the Van mine. The railway line continued to be used by passengers until the rails were lifted in 1941.
In 1993 the spoil heaps were capped and the area landscaped for recration but several factors of the site's industrial heritage are still evident including:
Gas producing plant
Stone pillar tramway supports
Engine base with stonemason marks
Machinery foundations
Rail tunnel

Today, the Afon Cerist is bordered by a mixture of young woodland, grassy rides full of wildflowers, ponds, reedbeds, grazing meadows and lowland heathland. Foraging bats fly overhead at night and common lizards bask during the day. Birds including willow warbler, song thrush, wren, reed bunting and swallows can be found here. Common blue, green-veined white and small copper butterflies along with bees and other insects take advantage of a wide range of wildflowers including betony, bird's-foot-trefoil, cowslips, orchids and harebells.

TENURE
Freehold

METHOD OF SALE
The property is offered for sale through our Online Auction service on Thursday 20th June 2024. Further details and bidding registration are available through our website or via our Llanidloes office.

BUYER’S PREMIUM
A buyer’s premium of 3.6% incl VAT (3% plus VAT) is payable by the successful bidder on conclusion of the sale.

REPORTS AVAILABLE
Statutory Notice dated 25.2.2022 from NRW - "Notice of Provisional Designation of a High Risk Reservoir".
Llyn Y Fan Reservoir Report on an inspection under Section 10 (2) of the Reservoirs Act 1976 (Final 2023).
Certificate under Section 10 (C) as to carrying out of safety recommendations.
Llyn y Fan Reservoir Flood Study and covering letter 21.1.24
Llyn y Fan Ballymetric & Topographic Survey November 2023
Inspection Engineers Certificate under Section 10 (5)


TO VIEW
Strictly by appointment with the agents - 01686 412567

Directions

Viewing - STRICTLY by appointment with the agents. Viewers are to be extremely careful and are NOT to walk around the lake. NO children to view the site. Viewers should view the aerial video before viewing the site and should follow the right of way and track to the boathouse.
From our office in Llanidloes, proceed to the Old Market Hall turning right onto Long Bridge Street. At the roundabout bear left over the long bridge and left again signposted Clywedog Reservoir. After approximately 1 miles, turn right signposted Y Fan. Continue to the hamlet, turning left and follow the road through the hamlet and the access to the site is indicated by the agents' sale board.
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