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 homeCredit: The TimesHe began work on the 400-year-old property soon after receiving planning permissionCredit: Grant & Co Estate AgentsMcCloud said part of the design was inspired by an episode of the Channel 4 showCredit: Grant & Co Estate AgentsThe presenter spent a year fitting an IKEA kitchenCredit: Grant & Co Estate AgentsThe 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".
I'm a property expert - my guess for the cheapest time to buy a home this yearThe 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.
Inside Camilla's £850k 'guilty pleasure' country pad - and Charles 'hates' itPlanning 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 listedCredit: Grant & Co Estate AgentsA previous owner had undertaken works without proper permissionCredit: Grant & Co Estate Agents