Curse of the ‘saddest ever’ Grand Designs episode strikes again – leaving owner with fresh heartbreak
THE owner of a home dubbed Grand Designs’ “saddest ever” project has been dealt a fresh blow after another buyer pulled out of the £10million sale.
Edward Short began the “nightmare” project in 2010, with an 18 month plan to complete the coastal mansion – but by 2019 Kevin McCloud described it as the “carcass” of a seashore wreckage.
It first appeared on the Channel 4 show and was dubbed Britain’s ‘saddest ever’ episode after Edward revealed he lost his marriage and ended up £7million in debt during construction.
Over the years, the determined homeowner has battled to complete the project and managed to create a stunning property against all odds.
But despite its luxurious finish and expected “global interest”, the mansion is yet to find luck on the market – even after rumours of celebrity buyers.
Former One Direction star Harry Styles had reportedly looked into purchasing the Lighthouse, although this was later denied.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Edward told of intel that the house had caught the eye of Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard Matt Fiddes.
Multi-millionaire martial arts businessman Fiddes was reported to have put in a £7.5 million bid in 2021.
He had planned to convert Chesil Cliff House into 12 luxury flats but that come to nothing.
And music producer Edward called Fiddes a “time-waster”.
He said: “We were approached by a buying agent who said they represented Harry’s family.
“His family were interested in it and it was Harry’s money – but that’s been it. That’s the only fact I know.
“I read that he has said he’s interested in buying a house in North Devon for £10million.”
But he added: “I don’t think there’s anything in it. I mean, he would have bought it by now if he was buying it.”
And now, Edward was hit by a fresh blow last week as a promising buyer pulled out of the sale last minute.
A local property developer told The Daily Mail: “This must be a real blow for Edward as he thought he was finally shot of it – he must be devastated.”
Just months ago the beachfront home had finally been taken off the market by estate agents Knight Frank.
The deal was supposedly so close to completion that Edward was reportedly talking about the sale last month – saying it was “still not over the line but very close.”
But now locals in Croyde say estate agents plan to list the property again following a fall through.
It will reportedly still be on the market for £10 million but Knight Frank will offer potential buyers the opportunity to purchase Chesil Cliff on for £7.5 million and The Eye, £2.5 million, separately.
One resident said: ”It is so sad for Edward the sale has fallen through after everything he has had to deal with.
“No one knows the reason for the collapse but it is the talk of Croyde.
“The lighthouse has become so famous now we get people from all over the country driving down just to take a look at it along the coast road.
“It just seems jinxed.”
Edward previously revealed he has had no option but to sell the home to cover the large amount of money he had to borrow during the project.
Edward has not responded to approaches for a comment but in a previous interview he said: “These past ten years have been a marathon slog – and I have got used to being a millionaire in debt.
“I’ve accepted the only way forward is to finish and sell it.
“I had no idea it would end up costing so much but I’ve accepted now that I’m never going to be able to live in it because I have money I need to pay back.
“It was my overconfidence and arrogance that got me here in the first place so I’m doing what I need to do.”
Chesil Cliff’s four-storey tower boasts five spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, four grand reception rooms, a luxurious sauna and swimming pool.
The Eye is a three bedroom studio that comes with a double garage.
Its location at Down End Point, North Devon, delivers buyers panoramic views across Croyde Bay to the north as well as to Saunton beach and Braunton Burrows to the south.
Although he is desperate to sell the mansion, Edward also feels heartbroken he will never experience living in it.
He previously told the Sun: “Every pound that was being spent, the value was going up but at the same time, the chance of living in the house was going down.”
He said it was “awful” for the family adding: “I pulled the stability rug from under them, without being able to give answers of how we were going to get out of it, other than that I had to carry on.
“I was so stressed about leaving that stain of failure on my wife and children that I was worrying a lot, I was losing sleep, but that effectively made me unable to function.”
The brochure for the house, has been downloaded more than 200,000 times, and counting, by potential buyers and viewers.
But Edward, originally of Plymouth, told The Sun: “The fact is, I still don’t know if I’ll end up with £1 or do alright until we get those final bids in.
“There are two possible end games here. Either a happy one or a very sad Christmas tree job coming up at the end of the year.”