PANNED DESIGNS
Grand Designs viewers say £1.8m house looks like a ‘North Korean nuclear bunker’ – after nine years of work which ended couple’s marriage and left them £4m in debt
GRAND Design viewers have labelled last night’s episode the “saddest ever” after a couple's ambitious plans to build a £1.8million home left them £4million in debt and their marriage over.
Presenter Kevin McCloud visited Edward, 50, and his wife Hazel, in Devon, and found the project still not finished nearly ten years on and locals angry at the “eyesore” some have described as looking like a “North Korean nuclear bunker”.
9
The couple initially set about transforming Chesil Cliff House in Croyde into their dream pad in 2010, but it has since proved to be one of the most controversial projects on the Channel 4 show.
Right from the start, Edward and Hazel experienced setbacks, as the bank restricted what they could borrow resulting in a four-year building delay.
Plans and designs had to be altered and money started to run out before the home renovation could even get off the ground.
The couple hoped to transform the clifftop home into an incredible white art deco “lighthouse” with a glass edge infinity swimming pool, home cinema, sauna and steam room.
9
9
Edward said the six-bedroom home, which he borrowed £1.8million to convert, was a “little boy’s dream”.
He added of the property which used to be on the plot: “I always looked at it and thought it would be so cool to knock it down and build a lighthouse.
“Once you get a dream like that in your head it just doesn't budge. It's just one of those spots where you could expect to find that type of building.”
However wife Hazel has slammed it as being a “nightmare” which has driven the couple deep into debt.
9
9
Costs spiralled as complex engineering and £200,000 for triple glazed windows blew the budget.
As finances started to collapse, the couple built a smaller, separate property called The Eye, which they unsuccessfully tried to sell to fund the rest of the project.
The secondary home was deemed unable to sell for health and safety reasons, as it is located so close to the building site of the main home.
Host Kevin returned to the home last month, nine years after they started, to see how the couple were getting on – and it wasn’t good news.
Almost a decade after the couple were given permission for the project, the home is far from finished, despite them originally estimating it would take 18 months to build.
9
9
9
9
Locals have now slammed the grey concrete home as an “eyesore” on the stunning coastline, and Edward and Hazel estimate they need a further £2million to finish the project.
The strain of the building and Edward being nearly £4million in debt has caused them to split up, and Edward’s downhearted daughters say they doubt the lighthouse is “ever going to happen”.
Edward has even had to ask local residents for patience as he attempts to finish off the project.
He told the in 2018: “We can only apologise for the delay in completing the build which we are aware is currently an eyesore.”
TV viewers didn’t hold back when it came to their comments on social media after what was described as the “saddest episode ever”.
One person wrote: “From the water it looks like a North Korea missile bunker. Total eyesore."
Another added: “I don't mind the house, just its location. It's not too intrusive from the road but from Saunton beach it's a total eyesore in my opinion.”
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
We previously shared how a new mum broke down in tears during £500k Grand Designs renovation – after fearing her cancer-stricken husband wouldn’t live to see it finished.
And this mum has shown off her incredible £50 kitchen transformation for rented homes - and it WON'T lose you your deposit.
Plus this cleaner recreated her dream £5,000 kitchen for just £500 after spending hours trawling online stores for budget dupes.
New mum breaks down in tears during £500k Grand Designs renovation - after fearing her cancer-stricken husband wouldn’t live to see it finished