When Zoe Freeman’s 195 0s bungalow revealed its flaws, she seized the chance to take on a self build project, crafting a sust ainable dream home filled with character and charm

WORDS RICHARD WEBBER

PHOTOS COLIN POOLE

With her positive mindset, Zoe Freeman, a GP, turned challenges into opportunities when her 1950s pebble-dashed bungalow presented a cascade of issues. Things hit rock bottom when a severe water leak in the loft caused significant damage, which was compounded by her insurance company’s refusal to cover the costs. This spurred Zoe on to tackle the immediate problem, as well as the many underlying issues her home had been hiding for years. “The bungalow was cheaply built and poorly insulated,” says Zoe. “In addition to that, the plumbing was tired and the electrics weren’t great either.”

Zoe had been toying with the idea of renovating her dormer property since 2018. She had some big plans and gained planning permission for a transformation project in 2020 – however, when she got some quotes for the works, she had to have a rethink. But upon receiving quotes in excess of £350,000, she considered her options once more. “What bumped up the quotes – which were in excess of £350,000 – was the fact that I wanted to make the downstairs more open-plan by knocking down internal walls.”

At a pivotal crossroads, Zoe made the bold decision to demolish the existing property – shared with her partner, Andy, and son, Danny – and build a new home from the ground up. Seeking pre-application advice from her local authority in 2020, she discovered a soil survey was necessary due to the plot’s proximity to a historic timber yard, raising concerns about potential contamination. Thankfully, the survey results came back clear, allowing the ambitious project to move forward. “It was a scary moment, though, because if remedial work was needed to remove and replace soil, it would have cost upwards of £30,000,” she says.