‘Saddest ever’ Grand Designs dwelling suffers one other expensive blow following battle

The infamous ‘saddest ever’ Grand Designs home has seen its price slashed by a staggering £5million after nobody bought it.

Chesil Cliff House in Devon, which gained notoriety on the Channel 4 series, has been mired in controversy and financial woes. The ambitious project initially had a budget of £1.8million and owner Edward Short expected it to be completed within 18 months.

However, after 12 years of turmoil, the stunning coastal mansion near Braunton, North Devon, ended up costing Short his marriage and left him with a staggering £7m debt. The property featured on the Channel 4 series in October 2019, when it was dubbed the ‘saddest ever’ episode.

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Earlier this year, the £10m cliffside property made headlines again when it was listed for sale through debt collectors for almost £5m less. In February 2023, the unfinished cliffside pad was taken off an estate agent’s site due to discussions with a “serious buyer”.

However, they reportedly withdrew at the last minute, reports the Mirror.

Then, in January this year, it reappeared on the market via Law of Property Act receivers. The property is still up for grabs four months later, with a hefty price tag of £5.25m with luxury estate agent Savills.

The mansion boasts three acres of land, an infinity pool and hot tub, and ample parking space. Plans for a helipad have also been approved, according to the listing.

The house “combines privacy with a diverse range of breathtaking views”, including a private tidal beach area and a large area of foreshore. The Rightmove listing continues: “The property represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on and finish the specification and fit out of one of the UK’s most spectacularly situated coastal homes.

“The bespoke design has been brought to life through impressive engineering, with the building being anchored to the bedrock, blending whitewashed elevations with steel and glass, culminating with a lighthouse feature at one end giving almost 360-degree views of the coastline.”

Nic Chbat, Director of Match Property estate agents in North Devon, who previously assisted with finding a buyer last year, said at the time that the sale stalled after the timeframe for the sale “expired.” He told the Express the previous buyer was “still wanting to buy the property”, with the sale still expected to go ahead.

And now another famous face has expressed an interest. Former Michael Jackson bodyguard Matt Fiddes is said to be eyeing up Chesil Cliff House once again after a failed £7.5million bid last year.

He is ready to swoop in with a fresh offer after the price was dropped from £10million. The 44-year-old said he planned to turn the property into 12 apartments and rent out 11 while he and his wife lived in the remaining one. But not everyone’s rolling out the welcome mat.

Matt admitted: “The residents want it abolished and knocked down. I know the leader of the local council and I would like to explain my plans and hope to get their approval. I won’t do it if they don’t want it as the place means a lot to me because of my roots as I took my holidays there.”

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