GREENSLADE Taylor Hunt’s auction team were overwhelmed with the interest at their latest sale at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.

A large crowd attended the auction to witness record prices for land and development opportunities throughout Somerset and Dorset.

Auctioneer Justin Lowe said: “I was delighted with the reception and interest which despite the move in the economy at the moment proved that there is considerable interest for land and development opportunities in this part of the West Country.”

A block of amenity land at Horton, near Ilminster, extending to 5.5 acres, created considerable interest and the hammer finally went down at £129,000.

Two attractive parcels near the village Withypool, Minehead, attracted keen bidding, with the first block of 1.41 acres achieving £72,000 and the second block of 0.88 achieving £46,000.

A larger block of more commercial land extending to around 35 acres at Clatworthy finally went under the hammer at £290,000.

An unusual potential development opportunity at Tincleton, near Dorchester, including a block of 7 acres with outbuildings together with a railway carriage with a Certificate of Lawful Use – meaning it can be lived in full-time, fetched £325,000.

A development opportunity of a former chapel at Hambridge, near Langport, attracted spirited interest despite being caught up in the planning process backlog created by the phosphates issues on the Somerset Levels. A planning application has been submitted to convert it into a two-bedroom home. It went under the hammer at £180,000 - £80,000 above the pre-sale guide.

A redevelopment opportunity at Aller, Langport, comprising a cottage in need of full renovation with a delightful garden and orchard area extending to 0.7 acre achieved £176,000.

Another development opportunity in Upper High Street, Taunton, comprising a former public house requiring complete renovation sold for £100,000.

A 0.48-acre plot in Creech Heathfield, with hope value for residential development, sold at £88,500.

A two-bedroom bungalow requiring complete renovation went for £250,000 at Spaxton.

Mr Lowe said: “I was delighted with the reception and interest which despite the move in the economy at the moment proved that there is considerable interest for land and development opportunities in this part of the West Country.”

The next auction will be on Thursday, July 21, at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster. For full details, contact the auctioneers on 01935 415300.