Four bed-home in Essex that featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs hits the market for £1.95m

A four-bedroom home that appears to float on air and was featured on TV’s Grand Designs is on the market for £1.95m.

The house on the Blackwater River Estuary near Maldon in Essex, featured on Channel 4’s property show in October 2021.

It is described as ‘flood proof’ because of its gravity-defying, cantilevered first floor, which is 4.5 metres above ground level.

It was originally built by Londoner Geoff Wood, who sold his home in Spain to take on the construction project while living in a caravan on the site.

According to reports, Mr Wood bought the land with planning consent for £325,000.

Some people on social media described the decor in the property as ‘hideous’ …

…  while host Kevin McCloud was more tactful and said the colour scheme wasn’t ‘fashionable’

But while Geoff managed to overcome a number of hurdles including the interruption of Covid and a collapse in the Spanish property market – delaying the money to complete the build – viewers were left unimpressed by the end result.

‘Awful house, awful decor. One of the worst houses I’ve ever seen,’ wrote one, while a second said: ‘What a f**ing hideous house!’

Presenter Kevin McCloud even admitted the interior, which included a blue carpet and orange sofa combination, wasn’t ‘fashionable’. 

It is believed the owner bought the land with planning consent for £325,000

The story of how the property came to be built was told on the Grand Designs episode, which explained that it was on a piece of land designated by the Environment Agency as Flood Zone 3, the highest risk.  

During the screening, Mr Wood revealed he’d had to sell his home in Spain to help fund the project, which got behind after bad weather hit and Covid had delayed the development even further.

Unlike his daughter, Mr Wood saw no risk in sinking every penny he had into the unusual building and moved into a small caravan on site.

Along with its flood-proofing, the state-of-the-art house is designed to be energy efficient

‘I’m at the stage in my life now where I don’t know how long I’ve got left, so what I’ve got left, I want to enjoy,’ Geoff, whose early retirement was soon followed by the breakup of his 32-year marriage, told viewers. ‘I’m 63 but I still feel like I was when I was 23. I don’t feel that I’m old.’

Presenter Kevin McCloud explained how the plot of watery wilderness was an empty canvas on which Geoff planned to paint a new life and was set in more than seven acres  – but it didn’t come without its problems.

‘A large site it may be, but it is a flood plain so the planners have insisted any house here would need to be flood-resistant,’ explained Kevin.

Along with its flood-proofing, the house has also been designed to be energy efficient and is equipped with state-of-the-art tech, including an air-source heat pump, solar tiles and thermal glass to minimise running costs.

It also has a lift, and a large double garage.

The house has views over the surrounding countryside from its wraparound terrace

There is a large hallway and reception area on the ground floor, connected to a utility area 

The house has views over the surrounding countryside from its wraparound terrace and sits on a seven-acre plot.

There is a large hallway and reception area on the ground floor, connected to a utility area and double garage.

A staircase leads up to the first-floor hallway with a vast living, dining and kitchen space, with three bedrooms, each with en-suite, as well as a fourth bedroom and family bathroom with a dramatic modern tub.

The property sits on a large plot and ‘would be ideal for someone looking for a weekend place’

The flood-proofing has been created by steel superstructure sat on 34 concrete piles

At night, the house gives the appearance of a modern ‘Noah’s Ark’, appearing to float above ground.

In reality, the flood-proofing has been created by steel superstructure sat on 34 concrete piles drilled 14 metres into the ground.

Ed Casson, director of estate agents Fine & Country Mid Essex, said: ‘It really is a unique and beautiful property and although Geoff’s enjoyed living there, he’s completed his grand project and feels it’s time to downsize a little bit.’

Mr Casson believes the house would suit a variety of buyers.

He added: ‘I’d say it’s ideal for someone who is perhaps London based but originally from Essex, and who wants a weekend place in an outstanding location.

‘It might also suit an older couple, who want to take advantage of the walks and lifestyle in this area, which is really tranquil and beautiful.’