‘TV’ cottage’s rebuild nearer
AN isolated but romantic hilltop cottage which was once a derelict shell is closer to becoming a fairy tale home.
Work to renovate the Keeper’s Cottage, on a remote hilltop between Marsden and Diggle, Saddleworth, has reached the halfway stage.
And the work so far impressed Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts when the home again appeared on the BBC1 property show on Thursday.
Martin said: “With an estimated four months to complete the job this old gamekeeper’s cottage is well on its way to becoming a modern marvel.”
Property renovations firm Surebuild set themselves a huge challenge when they bought the house for £200,000 at auction in 2017.
The cottage, unoccupied since the mid-80s, was in an advanced state of decay with little left but masonry.
The long, bumpy track to the A62 Huddersfield Road was inaccessible to all but 4x4s.
A considerable distance from water, gas and electricity networks the cottage, built in 1899, had no utilities and, as it lies within a conservation area, building regulations were all the more stringent. A garage with no planning permission needed demolishing.
Now estate agents have estimated the completed four-bedroom cottage could sell for more than £550,000 – and as much as £595,000.
Jason Reece, from Surebuild, said he has already been contacted by potential buyers: “I’m just pleased the way it’s turning out. It’s looking great.”