Sea change

Having relocated to the coast, Jane and Andy Hearn decided to convert and extend a dated property to create a light-filled gem of a home

WORDS JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOS PHIL RABY

“We liked the quiet, private road and could see that the property offered vast potential to transform it into a lovely home”

THE HEARN FILE

NAMES Jane & Andy Hearn

OCCUPATIONS Software developer & teacher

LOCATION West Sussex

TYPE OF BUILD Renovation & extension

STYLE Traditional

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Oak frame extension

PLOT SIZE 0.5 acres

LAND COST £920,000

BOUGHT 2008

HOUSE SIZE 280m² (extension added 52m²)

PROJECT COST £230,000

PROJECT COST PER M2 £821

TOTAL COST £1,250,000

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED March 2014

BUILDING WORK TOOK 32 weeks

CURRENT VALUE £1,250,000

When serial renovators Jane and Andy Hearn decided to follow their dream and move to the coast, they had no idea that they would face so many challenges before finally creating a stunning family home. “I’ve been renovating properties since I was 19, and can honestly say that this was the most stressful project I’ve ever encountered,” says Jane. “Thankfully, we got there in the end.”

Back in December 2005, the couple, who were living in Surrey, bought a holiday cottage in the picturesque coastal village of Bosham on the shores of Chichester Harbour. “Andy is a keen sailor and, gradually, we fell in love with the area,” says Jane. “Instead of just coming to Bosham for the weekend, we found ourselves spending four days out of seven in the village. Our daughters were both finishing secondary education and we wanted to start putting new roots down at the coast, long before we hit retirement age.”

The huge twin roof lanterns in the oak frame extension help to flood the space with natural light, whilst also capturing everchanging sky views