AN iconic Grand Designs house dubbed “perfect”; by fans has hit the market for £1.5million after 20 years of “painstaking”; renovation.
Green Dragon Barn, in South Hams, , was forged from three connected barns by couple Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock.
The pair took on the mammoth renovation task in 2001, when the property also featured on
After 20 years the eco-project has been completed, but is now listed for sale.
The decision came after Sue sadly died in 2023, and Martin chose to embark on a new chapter elsewhere.
When Grand Designs host re-visited the five-bedroom home, after last seeing it in 2001, he said: “This is a home lovingly, painstakingly, time-consumingly transformed.
“Resplendent with 20 years of devoted care.”;
Martin explained: “The revisit in 2021 was a delight - we were completely ready and the house was looking at its best.
“A complete absence of drama! Of course things were very different back in 2000. We were racing against the clock and theweather, and the programme makers made the most of that.”;
The homeowner told how they chose the house in 2000 because they wanted to near the sea, and Totnes.
“The barn was a complete wreck - actually three barns built together over three centuries, and a bigger project than we were planning, but it allowed us to really go to town and create some stunning rooms,”; he added.
The couple enlisted the help of architect Adrian Slocombe, of Earthway Design, to navigate how to build on the sloping landscape.
Despite dedicating two decades to the renovation, Martin said the couple relished in the adventure.
“Although it took 20 years, it wasn’t 20 years of work on the house,”; he said.
“We moved into two rooms in 2001 and gradually expanded out from there as we found time to do the work in our busy lives.
“So every so often there would be new rooms or features to enjoy. A real adventure.”;
The property boasts a large kitchen area which connects to an incredible 30-foot reception - kitted out with an oak floor and wood burning stove.
Potential buyers will also be able to enjoy an atrium and grand hall with dramatic pillar features.
As well as a utility room, there’s a stone larder and box room for more storage.
Upstairs, there’s four spacious bedrooms, two of which offer en-suit shower rooms, as well as a shared family bathroom.
And, one of Martin’s favourite areas is a huge vaulted room that lies beneath the thatch roof.
While creating the stunning renovation, the couple wanted to focus on keeping the project environmentally friendly.
Martin said: “Sue was passionate about environmental issues and we were determined to make the house as natural and sustainable as possible.
“It was a matter of principle but also very much in the spirit of the building.
“So the house is eco-conscious in its use of traditional, natural materials such as lime, stone, cob, slate and thatch, but is also highly insulated, has modern double glazing, a reed bed, a heat recovery system and a wood pellet boiler.”;
Outside, the property boasts a private driveway which leads to a large parking and turning area in front of the house and garage.
Green Dragon Barn is now listed for sale by Stags at a guide price of £1,500,000.
The listing reads: “Green Dragon Barn enjoys a peaceful setting near the popular village of Blackawton, which offers a strong community spirit, a highly regarded primary school, a parish church, and a traditional village pub.
“The vibrant market town of Kingsbridge lies approximately 7 miles to the west and provides a wide range of shops, amenities, and a well-respected secondary school, serving nearby coastal villages such as Salcombe and Thurlestone.
“Totnes, around 7 miles to the north, offers an eclectic mix of independent shops, cafes, and galleries, along with a mainline railway station providing direct services to London in around three hours.
“To the south, the historic town of Dartmouth sits at the mouth of the beautiful River Dart and is renowned for its maritime heritage, excellent sailing facilities, and the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College, also approximately 7 miles away.”;
However, Martin said he “wouldn’t blame”; new owners if they want to change the style to suit their personal preferences.
He also highlighted the potential their 1.3 acre garden and orchard have to offer.
Looking forward, Martin said: “I can’t imagine living in any house that I didn’t want to make changes to, so I’m open to a new project if I can find one.
“But whatever happens it will be a lot smaller - something on the scale of Green Dragon Barn is really a once-in-a-lifetime project.”;
This comes after Grand Designs revealedas parents embark on building an allergy-proof home.
Elinor and Born Barikor, from Richmond in south west, have created the “healthy house”; for their three children.
The couple’s two sons, Avery and Pascal, both have potentially life-threatening dairy, wheat, egg, gluten, soya, oat, pulses, fruit, nut, dust, pollen and animal fur.
Elinor and Born bought theirin 2018 with the hopes of forging a “safe haven”; for the boys.
presenterhas since revisited the family to see how they got on.
Meanwhile, one local said their life is “completely ruined”; by their millionaire neighbour’ssuper home.
Elsewhere, one Grand Designs house has been branded the
And, Kevin McCloud has revealed thehe’d give to anyone embarking on their own building project.
