Episodes
Grand Designs: Episode 5 (S23EP5 Channel 4 Wednesday 28 September 2022)
Kevin meets Mike and Sarah in this episode. After their daughters left the nest a few years ago, they made the decision to purchase a remote smallholding in the Derbyshire Dales where they would raise livestock and grow vegetables. Their desire to permanently relocate there with their ageing parents and give their daughters a place to stay stemmed from their love for the area. The fact that the farm only had a few decaying old barns presented a significant obstacle to their multigenerational housing plan.
Despite the plot’s history of 26 rejected planning applications, Mike and Sarah received approval in 2020 to erect a modernised version of a historic Derbyshire longhouse with a £945k construction budget. Building it was never going to be simple because it is enormous, corrugated, very long, and has a highly intricate roof shape that echoes the angles of the nearby fields.
Their ambitious 12-month schedule quickly falters, and getting down a congested half-mile lane proves difficult. Due to the complexity of the roof, much more steel than expected and an additional £55,000 were needed. The lack of construction supplies ultimately causes the build to be further delayed.
Then Mike’s elderly parents say they have no plans to move into the house because of its isolation. However, an unexpected death puts everything into perspective, putting tremendous pressure on them to finish the house quickly.
Dir: Edward Sunderland; Exec Prods: John Lonsdale, John Comerford; Prod Co: FremantleMedia Ltd
Airdate: Wednesday 28 September 2022 at 21:00 on Channel 4
Season 23 Episode 5
Kevin McCloud follows intrepid individuals trying to design and build their dream home.