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I turned £1.1m farmhouse into Grand Designs-style home, says Kevin McCloud

13 May 2024 , 14:49
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Kevin McCloud reveals the pitfalls of renovating his own home
Kevin McCloud reveals the pitfalls of renovating his own home

GRAND Designs presenter Kevin McCloud has turned an unloved £1.1 million farmhouse into his own dream home.

The 65-year-old bought the rural hideaway in Herefordshire in June 2021.

Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud has been quietly beavering away on his dream home qhiqqhiqxxiqezprw
Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud has been quietly beavering away on his dream homeCredit: The Times
He began work on the 400-year-old property soon after receiving planning permission
He began work on the 400-year-old property soon after receiving planning permissionCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents
McCloud said part of the design was inspired by an episode of the Channel 4 show
McCloud said part of the design was inspired by an episode of the Channel 4 showCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents
The presenter spent a year fitting an IKEA kitchen
The presenter spent a year fitting an IKEA kitchenCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents

The property was marketed through Grant & Co, the local country house estate agent.

It came with planning permission to convert a cow shed into another home.

Planning documents refer to McCloud hoping to restore the 400-year-old Grade II listed property's "lost dignity and historic character".

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The dad-of-four snapped up the home - which dates back to 1600 - after separating from his wife of 23 years and marrying businesswoman Jenny Jones.

'DISRESPECTFUL' CHANGES

A previous owner was prosecuted for undertaking "disrespectful" changes without planning permission.

Planners said the works had led to "irreparable loss of historic fabric which has compromised its character as a building of special historic and architectural interest", reports the MailOnline.

The farmhouse - measuring 4,858 square feet - was advertised through Country Life magazine.

It was described as a "secluded, spacious farmhouse situated in a superb rural location" with "land available separately", and a "charming and generously proportioned" layout.

And despite McCloud following the headaches of countless families in creating their perfect homes through his Channel 4 programme over 25 years, he insists he won't be allowing TV crews into his home.

He said: "It's like walking around with your trousers down."

But he has admitted the restoration was inspired by one seen in a previous episode of Grand Designs.

He said he was "absolutely blown away" by the transformation of the ruins of Astley Castle in Warwickshire after it was destroyed in a fire in the 1970s.

In particular, he liked a contemporary "hanging" oak staircase, which he has replicated to help cover up previous botched work.

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Planning documents show McCloud began submitting plans within weeks of buying the property.

Proposals included for one of the first floor's double bedrooms was to create a huge bathroom with "his and hers" sinks.

McCloud has also admitted spending a year installing a new IKEA kitchen, initially himself before bringing in "proper craftspeople".

He said living without a kitchen so long gave him a newfound admiration for the emotions faced by those on his TV show.

He explained: "It's hard to express and to understand, there was a very deep sense of threat.

"It came from the fact that we didn't have a kitchen, we didn't have a heart to the home."

McCloud previously shared a 500-year-old farmhouse with second wife Suzanna near Bruton in Somerset before selling it in 2010 for £1.85 million.

The Herefordshire property is grade II listed
The Herefordshire property is grade II listedCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents
A previous owner had undertaken works without proper permission
A previous owner had undertaken works without proper permissionCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents

Ryan Merrifield

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