A Grand Designs participant was left divorced and in millions of pounds worth of debt after his gigantic lighthouse project ran into a string of disasters.
On Wednesday night, Kevin McCloud returned to the sprawling Devonshire property, which first featured on the Channel 4 programme in 2019 where it was dubbed the ‘saddest ever’ episode.
Although Edward Short, the owner of the ambitious build, managed to eventually complete his dream house after a staggering 11 years, he walked away with a broken family and an insane amount of money to repay the banks.
And on top of that, he wasn’t able to live in the house.
Speaking to Kevin after finishing work on the house, Edward said: ‘It’s worth it because it’s finished. It would have not been worth it if it was not finished. It would have been painful.’
Edward and his ex-wife Hazel had initially anticipated forking out £1.8million for the project. However, the total build cost, he later revealed, amounted to between £5.5million and £6million.
While Kevin noted that the build resulted in ‘damaged relationships’ and ‘fractured a family’, he ended the programme saying: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever visited a place which so powerfully spoke of heeling, redemption, and achievement.’
The lighthouse, named Chesil Cliff House, is located in Croyde, North Devon, and is on the market with a price tag of £10million.
The white art deco lighthouse is set upon a rugged beautiful cliff top, overlooking the Devonshire coast.
It’s a three-acre property that comes complete with an infinity pool, a storm room and white and glass lighthouse tower.
Edward and Hazel had previously emphasised that there were no compromises they could have made when they came up with their idea for the home.
Nonetheless, their costs ‘ran into the millions’, as the shell-like structure remained looking cold and unfinished.
Viewers were upset by the tragic state of affairs, with many of the opinion that the project was not worth the money or the heartache.
‘Borrow big to achieve your dream and never end up living there….so sad,’ wrote one. ‘Amazing building but one day you have to pay it back and if you can’t, its gone.’
Echoing a similar sentiment, another said: ‘That was so sad. As lovely as the house is, it seems to have cost him a lot more than just money.’
‘What a sad outcome for Edward and his family,’ a third penned. ‘I’d have been happy living in a garden shed with that view! Gutted for them!’
Grand Designs airs Wednesdays at 9pm on Channel 4.
