readers’ homes

Kevin Crotty’s journey to creating a bespoke house was peppered with challenges – but his efforts were rewarded with this efficient sea-view home in Anglesey

WORDS REBECCA FOSTER

W hen Kevin Crotty began his search for a holiday home by the sea, he wanted a place that could serve as a comfortable base to enjoy beachy summers with the family. At that point, Kevin lived in Cheshire with his wife and two young children. He had a strict set of criteria that the house needed to meet. “It had to be within 100 miles of where we were living,” he explains. “I’d been looking on Rightmove for about a year when a potential property in Anglesey came up for sale.”

It was a stormy day in February 2018 when Kevin first went to view the house. “I drove up there in torrential rain and gale force winds. There’s a steep hill down into the bay, which is very sheltered,” he says. “As I descended, the wind stopped and the sun came out – it felt as though it was meant to be.” The location delivered everything Kevin wanted: stunning sea views and proximity to the beach, plus a handful of cafes and a pub.

However, the property – a1930s prefabricated dwelling – left a lot to be desired. “It was in poor condition – the timber frame was rotting. But to some extent I expected that, because on Rightmove the description had specified cash buyers only,” says Kevin, who already had the idea to knock down and rebuild at the back of his mind. “I had a prod around and decided I could get at least five years out of the existing house, which was all I wanted at that point, before self building at some point in the future.” Kevin spent a large portion of summer 2018 doing DIY, fixing leaks and patching up holes in the windows. It was at this point he realised he’d need to bring his plans for a demolish and rebuild scheme forward.