Eerie pictures show half-finished luxury lighthouse from 'saddest' Grand Designs episode

These pictures show the state of a half-finished luxury lighthouse-inspired home that featured on Grand Designs - as the owner confirmed he would be putting it up for sale.
These pictures show the state of a half-finished luxury lighthouse-inspired home that featured on Grand Designs.These pictures show the state of a half-finished luxury lighthouse-inspired home that featured on Grand Designs.
These pictures show the state of a half-finished luxury lighthouse-inspired home that featured on Grand Designs.

Edward Short, 50, who owns Chesil Cliff House said he will finish the project - but will have to sell it to cover the large amount of money he borrowed to build it.

The extraordinary house in one of the most picturesque settings in Devon featured on this week's episode of the Channel 4's Grand Designs and was described as the "saddest episode ever" by many who watched it.

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The episode followed Edward and his family as misfortune beset the eight-year project leaving the house in Croyde, Devon, unfinished and with the family plunged into millions of pounds worth of debt.

Edward Short, 50, who owns Chesil Cliff House said he will finish the project - but will have to sell it to cover the large amount of money he borrowed to build it.Edward Short, 50, who owns Chesil Cliff House said he will finish the project - but will have to sell it to cover the large amount of money he borrowed to build it.
Edward Short, 50, who owns Chesil Cliff House said he will finish the project - but will have to sell it to cover the large amount of money he borrowed to build it.
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The show also revealed that the process had taken a strain on Edward's personal life, resulting in his separating from his wife Hazel.

However, the family were back together with their two children last night to watch the show as it aired.

Edward said: "We found it very funny, particularly the bit where Kevin McCloud went out in the hailstorm - it really was coming down sideways.

The extraordinary house in one of the most picturesque settings in Devon featured on this week's episode of the Channel 4's Grand Designs and was described as the "saddest episode ever" by many who watched it.The extraordinary house in one of the most picturesque settings in Devon featured on this week's episode of the Channel 4's Grand Designs and was described as the "saddest episode ever" by many who watched it.
The extraordinary house in one of the most picturesque settings in Devon featured on this week's episode of the Channel 4's Grand Designs and was described as the "saddest episode ever" by many who watched it.

"I thought North Devon looked stunning, it came across really well. We all knew there was a sad ending coming but that's just the journey it's been."

A series of pictures taken today show the sad state of the building has been left in.

One witness described it as "half finished" with concrete slabs across the site, window panels not in place and graffiti daubing the entrance.

Despite this Edward said he is very close to securing funding to finish the building and that work could start again by the end of this month.

Edward said he is very close to securing funding to finish the building and that work could start again by the end of this month.Edward said he is very close to securing funding to finish the building and that work could start again by the end of this month.
Edward said he is very close to securing funding to finish the building and that work could start again by the end of this month.
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He added: "I can't say too much at this stage but we are close to a new finance deal.

"All being well it could be finished by August or September next year."

Edward admitted that he has steered clear of social media since the episode aired, partly on the advice of programme makers.

He said: "We've been giving Facebook and Twitter a wide berth. People only seem to go on there to tell people what they hate, luckily I've got very thick skin.

One witness described it as "half finished" with concrete slabs across the site, window panels not in place and graffiti daubing the entrance.One witness described it as "half finished" with concrete slabs across the site, window panels not in place and graffiti daubing the entrance.
One witness described it as "half finished" with concrete slabs across the site, window panels not in place and graffiti daubing the entrance.

"I won't deny it, in it's current state it is horrendous - it's an ugly eyesore and it's not nice to be associated with that.

"But I am confident I can finish it."

Despite being the dream home he had always hoped to build, Edward has said that even when Chesil Cliff House is complete, he will have to sell it.

He said: "We've had an amazing time living in that spot (at the old house).

"There were days when the girls would come back from school, get straight off the bus and we'd all jump straight into the sea to mess around in the waves or go kayaking.

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"But the whole project has been a horrendous strain for Hazel, I have sunk our family purse into this and I really feel for her. I never meant to put her through any of this."

Although the main Grand Design project has not been completed, the smaller property - known as The Eye - has been finished and featured at the end of the programme.

Edward said: "It was a relief to be able to show them something that was finished.

"I thought that property looked stunning in the programme. It's just such a beautiful area."

In last night's show Edward admitted the costs to get to just this stage have hit around £3 million, with around £2 million needed to finish it.

Edward reiterated his apologies to locals who are fed up of seeing the unfinished grey eyesore on the point, but he also asked them to "stick with it".

He said: "I know it's a mess, and I have to fix that - but when it is finished it will be amazing.

"Judge it when it's finished."

The unique location at Down End Point boasts panoramic views across Croyde Bay to the north as well as to Saunton beach and Braunton Burrows to the south.

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The luxury home once finished was planned to feature a huge circular tower based on a lighthouse design along with a spectacular 'glass edge' infinity swimming pool, a home cinema and a sauna and steam room.