Derbyshire

 

When their daughters flew the nest several years ago, Derby based Mike and Sarah decided to buy a remote smallholding in the Derbyshire Dales to rear animals and grow vegetables. Their love of the place came with a passion to live there full-time, along with their elderly parents, and to provide space for their daughters to stay. However, their multi-generational housing plan had one big stumbling block – there was no actual house on the farm, just a few dilapidated old barns. Despite the plot’s history of 26 failed planning applications, in 2020 Mike and Sarah were granted permission to build a 21st century version of a historic Derbyshire Longhouse, with a build budget of £945k. Enormous, corrugated and very long, with a highly complex roof shape that echoes the angles of the surrounding fields, building it was never going to be easy.

 

It’s not long before their ambitious 12 month schedule starts to slide. Access down a narrow half mile bumpy lane proves challenging. The roof is so complicated it requires many more tons of steel than anticipated and costs an extra £55,000. A shortage of building materials ends up delaying the build even more. Then Mike’s elderly parents declare they have no intention of moving into the home due to

its remoteness. But all this is suddenly thrown into perspective with an unexpected bereavement, creating huge pressure and urgency to get the house finished before time runs out.

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