Big des res started life as a small bungalow

Hellwood Lane, Scarcroft Price: £995,000 www.monroeestateagents.com

Single building plots in great locations are like hens teeth thanks mostly to the popular Channel 4 series Grand Designs and its presenter Kevin McCloud with his lyrical turn of phrase.

For this reason, developers and would-be self-builders are turning their attention to existing properties on generous plots with potential for radical change and extension.

This approach effectively turns an old house into a new house with all the benefits that brings.

This property in Scarcroft, one of the most desirable locations in North Leeds, is a prime example of what can be achieved with good design.

Richard Masters and his team at Yorkshire-based RM Developments have turned what was a 1940s dormer bungalow with two bedrooms into a much larger, contemporary des res.

“It’s very difficult to find building plots in good locations at the right price point and so our strategy is to buy smaller properties that we can enlarge and effectively redevelop,” says Richard.

“We specialise in creating single, one-off homes so we have comprehensively redesigned this bungalow to give it just under 3,000 sq.ft of space.

“We like to create large, open plan, less formal living spaces with a connection to the garden via bifold doors and that’s what we have done here.”

He adds: “Everything is high specification so we spend extra on the kitchens and bathrooms and we also do a landscaping package and get the plants in as early as possible during the construction phase, which is unusual for a developer, but I think it’s important that the buyer can just move in and everything is done.”

The house is in a private spot just off the Wetherby Road and has a kitchen from Watsons of Harrogate and bifolding doors onto a terrace.

The ground floor also has an extra large living room with two sets of patio doors onto the garden.

The other wing of the house features a large living room with bi-folding doors, a ground floor bedroom/office and a bathroom.

Upstairs are two bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and Juliet balconies overlooking the garden.

There are two more bedrooms on this floor plus an ensuite and house bathroom. Outside, there is a garden.

*Scarcroft is 20 minute drive from Leeds City Centre and 15 minutes drive to Wetherby.

We have redesigned this bungalow to give it just under 3,000 sq ft of space.

LIKE NEW: What was a small, 1940s dormer bungalow in the popular North Leeds area of Scarcroft is now a large, family size home with five bedrooms thanks to a major makeover and extension.