Having been unsuccessful in their search for a smaller property, Warwick and Lyn Wilson realised their garden offered the perfect space to self-build their dream home

WORDS & PHOTOS KATY DONALDSON

The Wilsons have built their new house next door to their previous property

FACT FILE

NAMES Warwick & Lyn Wilson

OCCUPATIONS Retired & housewife

LOCATION Hertfordshire

TYPE OF PROJECT Self-build

STYLE Contemporary vernacular

CONSTRUCTION METHOD Brick & block

PROJECT ROUTE Architect-designed & owners project managed alongside main contractor

PLOT SIZE 1.5 acres

LAND COST Already owned (plus extra land for £50,000)

HOUSE SIZE 276m2 (plus 82m2 annex)

PROJECT COST £619,394 (plus £64,169 for annex)

PROJECT COST PER M2 £2,244

BUILDING WORK COMMENCED June 2015

BUILDING WORK TOOK 19 months

CURRENT VALUE £1,350,000

Warwick and Lyn Wilson had lived in their large, late-Victorian property in a Hertfordshire village for over 30 years when they started to think about downsizing to a home that required less upkeep. Their three daughters had all grown up and started families of their own, so the couple had long realised their seven-bedroom property was more than they needed. Sensibly, they didn’t rush into any hasty decisions; already retired, they took time to explore their options.

The couple’s existing house was in an exceptional position on the edge of the village, enjoying uninterrupted views across the garden and fields to the church. So it was certainly going to be hard to beat. They had thoroughly relished village life – being within walking distance to a butcher, shop, post office, hairdresser and station – so were adamant that they needed a property with good access to similar amenities. They looked locally for a suitable house, but the places on offer were often too far from civilisation for their needs.

Eventually, the Wilsons gave up their search and decided to apply to self-build a new home in their garden. This route allowed them to keep their great view, local friends, village access and all the other benefits of staying put while creating a smaller, more manageable and modern home. Fortunately, they were able to buy the field next to their property, which was owned by the neighbouring church, for £50,000 to give them some extra land to work with. Doing so actually proved to be rather a protracted and expensive process; ultimately, however, it was worth the added cost and stress as it meant the new house could sit more comfortably in its plot.