A Grand Design and woe for Whitby

This week we take a tour of a new “Grand Design”, which would never have made the cut for the TV series fronted by Kevin McCloud.

Kevin and his team would have walked away from this one because all has gone well with no great drama thanks to a crack team and a head of design and construction with vast experience. He loves nothing better than a challenge, so what was an old reservoir in a stunning location is now a striking home with plenty of architectural interest.

Also this week, we look at the property market in Whitby, which has boomed beyond all expectation due to the pandemic. More of those who dreamed of buying there and making it their permanent residence have been enabled by the ability to work from home.

At the same time holiday home investors and second home buyers have continued to target the town and its surrounding villages. The result is not healthy as our story above relates.

Whitby was once a relatively affordable place to buy a first home but that is no longer the case and it’s easy to see the situation worsening. Estate agent James Smith has given us his well-informed views on what is happening and how affordability issues might be alleviated.

Finally, should we be cheerful that Christopher Pincher is no longer housing minister? I think so. He was spectacularly ineffective. Let’s hope that Yorkshire MP Stuart Andrew makes more of an impression and tackles the many issues that need attention.