logo
Grand Designs eyesore next door is ‘glorified GREENHOUSE' left to rot

Grand Designs eyesore next door is ‘glorified GREENHOUSE' left to rot

The Sun3 days ago

A CONTROVERSIAL Grand Designs project that left neighbours living under scaffolding for five years has still never been lived in.
The dramatic glass-fronted clifftop mansion in Flamborough, East Yorkshire, has been dubbed a "glorified greenhouse" by fed-up locals.
5
The £550,000 property was built by millionaire shopping centre tycoon Zahid Iqbal, 61, and his wife Ferzana, 57, and was hailed "breathtaking" by Kevin McCloud when it aired on the Channel 4 show last year.
What began as a 10-month project in 2019 to transform a derelict coastguard's tower into a sleek, modern retreat with sweeping views of the North Sea has dragged on for half a decade.
The glass-walled home near Flamborough Head has been plagued by planning disputes, delays, and a catalogue of construction blunders—from ill-fitting glass panels to missed emails about vital bird-proofing.
For much of that time, neighbouring cottages were overshadowed by towering scaffolding.
Now, nearly a year after the Grand Designs episode aired, the property remains unoccupied, and speculation is growing locally that the house may soon be up for sale.
One of the most affected neighbours, 83-year-old Vic Crosthwaite, shares a party wall with the ultra-modern structure and became a sympathetic figure for viewers after his home was dwarfed by the build.
'We understood they would be moving in—but there's been no sign of them,' he said.
'I've seen them once, going for a coffee, and that was it. There's talk they'll sell it, but it's just sat empty.'
Mr Crosthwaite added that the building still feels unfinished and that promised privacy measures, such as tinted windows overlooking his patio and bedroom, were never put in place.
'You can practically see into my bedroom from their staircase,' he said.
Iconic Grand Designs 'perfect' house which couple spent 20 years 'painstakingly' renovating hits market for £1.5million
The Iqbals, who purchased the site at auction for £175,000, reportedly invested around £375,000 into the build. The project was nearly derailed when a planning officer halted work, citing that the original coastguard structure—apart from one wall—had been entirely demolished, contrary to the approved conversion plans.
A revised application was later granted, allowing the family to continue.
However, bad weather, the pandemic, and the departure of their son Yusuf—who had been leading the project—further slowed progress.
Guy Raynor-Edwards, 63, said: 'It's just sat there. No one comes or goes. It feels like it was built just to show off.'
Another neighbour, 80-year-old Lee Dell, didn't hold back: 'It's a glorified greenhouse. Absolute rubbish.
"There are doors on the upper floors with no balconies—someone could walk out and fall straight onto the golf course.
"Somebody ought to knock it down.'
Concerns also remain about whether the property complies with building regulations.
Neighbours have pointed out potential safety issues, including external doors with no balconies and a staircase missing a balustrade.
A resident who gave her name only as Jen added: 'It's architecturally impressive, sure, but completely in the wrong place.
"If it were ten miles down the road with no neighbours, it might have worked. But not here, not in a historic village.'
Mr Iqbal previously defended the build, describing it as 'a place for the family' and 'the first Grand Designs that's a second home.'
Speaking last year, he told the Yorkshire Post: 'It's not about the building—it's about the views. I wanted to build something that creates discussion.'
Visitors to the area still stop to peer at the house made famous by TV.
Nigel and Sue Lenton, holidaying from Somerset, admired the design but expressed disappointment that it remains unused.
'It's such a shame no one's living in it,' said Sue, 76. 'Given how much it must have cost, it just feels like a bit of a white elephant.'
5
5
5
5

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cricket WAG Emma Lyon stuns in designer outfit as she watches hubby Nathan play in London - and you won't believe how much it costs
Cricket WAG Emma Lyon stuns in designer outfit as she watches hubby Nathan play in London - and you won't believe how much it costs

Daily Mail​

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Cricket WAG Emma Lyon stuns in designer outfit as she watches hubby Nathan play in London - and you won't believe how much it costs

Emma Lyon has turned heads in a stunning designer outfit worth at least $17,800 as she watched her husband Nathan Lyon try to steer Australia to victory in the World Test Championship in London on Wednesday. The mum-of-one, who shares a one-year-old daughter with the spin bowler, was in the good seats at London's famous Lord's stadium after s paring no expense on her flight over to the UK. She treated her Instagram followers to photos of her standing on a balcony at the 'home of cricket', cradling her baby daughter and looking like she could've just done a photo shoot for Vogue. Daily Mail Australia has tracked down the various piece of her ensemble, which is far out of the average Aussie cricket fan's price range. Emma was dressed in an Integrated Fluid Silk Skirt from Dutch fashion house Róhe, which would have set her back about $1200. She paired that with another piece from the designer, a matching Sleeveless Gliet-Jacket worth $1100. Emma's jewellery puts those items into the shade in terms of cost, however: she's wearing what appears to be a Cartier Love Bracelet worth $9050 as well as another piece from the famed luxury company, a Juste Un clou bracelet priced at $6450. The 32-year-old also flaunted her high-end tastes when she documented her journey to England for the match recently. Lyon showed off $22,000 in accessories and $1500 worth of in-flight skin care as she and her daughter flew to London. That included a Chanel bag worth $19,230 and a $3725 tote bag from Goyard. Emma finally confirmed she and Nathan welcomed a baby girl to the world in September 2023. They made the reveal in October 2024, with Nathan now a father to three girls as he shares two children with his ex-partner Mel Waring. The off-spinner lost his wicket for a duck on Wednesday night, Australian time, as the Aussies stumbled to a first-innings total of just 212. He only got one over in before stumps as pacemen Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh combined to leave South Africa reeling at 4/43. She flew first-class to England with her daughter late last month and brought her $19,230 Chanel bag (pictured) Lyon has been one of Australia's best players since making his Test debut in 2011, taking 553 wickets at an average of just 30.19. That's reflected in his contract with Cricket Australia, which pays him a rumoured $1.1million a year. He is also contracted to the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. Lyon's ex-wife Mel Waring recently gave Daily Mail Australia an exclusive update on her life after she moved to Canberra with the two daughters she shares with the star.

The World Tonight  Will voters feel better off from Chancellor's spending plans?
The World Tonight  Will voters feel better off from Chancellor's spending plans?

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

The World Tonight Will voters feel better off from Chancellor's spending plans?

What would you do with a trillion pounds of public money over the next four years? The Chancellor says "renewing Britain" is at the heart of her plans. So when will voters start to feel better off? We ask a Treasury Minister. Also on the programme: After the US Ambassador to Israel told us that Muslim countries should give up their land to create a Palestinian state - we get reaction from a senior Palestinian official. And one of the most influential figures in the history of pop music, Brian Wilson - the creative genius behind the Beach Boys - has died. The veteran DJ Bob Harris - who knew him for more than five decades - pays tribute.

Orlando Bloom's just paid £10,000 to have his blood 'cleaned' - but here are 7 much cheaper ways to reduce the quantity of microplastics in your body
Orlando Bloom's just paid £10,000 to have his blood 'cleaned' - but here are 7 much cheaper ways to reduce the quantity of microplastics in your body

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Orlando Bloom's just paid £10,000 to have his blood 'cleaned' - but here are 7 much cheaper ways to reduce the quantity of microplastics in your body

At 48, Orlando Bloom still looks as fresh-faced (and drop-dead gorgeous) as when he started out in Hollywood three decades ago. It's unsurprising, then, that the Lord of the Rings star is no stranger to rejuvenating – and often intrusive – procedures, from purging his body with frog poison to ingesting bentonite clay to cleanse his digestive system. But the actor's latest treatment might be his wildest yet. Bloom headed to London 's Clarify Clinic for a £10,000 procedure where a machine supposedly removed the microplastics from his blood.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store