Lotto heiress builds dream mansion after row with neighbours to tear house down
A couple who became overnight millionaires and wanted to use their family's £33 million lotto winnings to transform their bungalow into a mega-mansion have finally got the go-ahead after a bitter row with neighbours.
Lisa and Craig Charters announced ambitious plans to transform their Edinburgh bungalow into a Hollywood-esque city pad after Lisa's parents won the jackpot six years ago.
But the architects plans for the £5million renovation were slammed by other residents on the street, who formally submitted nearly 50 objections to the planning application.
Details published on the city council’s planning portal reveal there were 63 public comments submitted within 21 days - 48 objections and 15 comments of support.
The couple had paid £200,000 over the £670,000 asking price for the three-bedroom bungalow in the trendy city borough with views of Edinburgh Castle.
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Their ultra modern plans would see the original single-storey building demolished and replaced with a three-storey mansion.
The couple hope to create a 'Grand Designs' home with views of Edinburgh CastleThe large house is set to feature a zinc exterior, five glass-fronted bedrooms and a driveway rising from the garden.
The couple have even submitted an application to have the project featured on Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud.
The council received an official planning application in February with their planning agents saying the building would make a “significant statement”.
A source said: “This is a pretty significant and ambitious development.
"Neighbours have been notified of the plans and they have a right to have their views.”
City of Edinburgh Council received an official planning application in FebruaryLocal councillors visited the site before making the decision at a planning meeting.
Councillor Euan Hyslop said:”I can understand why there have been a number of concerns raised by neighbouring residents.
"But I think it is a fitting addition. It is modern, uncompromisingly modern, which is a good way of putting it. But I think it is an architecturally really interesting application… I can’t see it having a massive impact on amenity. It is a welcome application and I will be supporting it.”
Hal Osler, chair of the Development Management sub committee, added: ”This has been a really interesting application. It was quite complicated when it came to us.
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The plans (Paul Drury)"A lot of work has been done in changing the respective orientation of the building to take on board various comments.
"This is the second iteration of this, so the applicant was mindful of the initial massing and dominance of the building and reduced it. It is difficult. It is a new build, they are trying to be sustainable and they are trying to move forward. Going forward, I think we’re going to get a few sites where there are going to be changes to what is present there.
"I do admire the applicants for bringing this forward as it is extremely challenging. I hope they manage to build it and have a wonderful time living there. I, for one, will be supporting it.”
Lisa, of Hawick, Roxburghshire, announced her engagement to Craig in 2017 on a beach in the Bahamas.
Her parents David and Carol Martin, both 60, were left in disbelief "drinking Tetley tea" as they tried to process the discovery of their £33 million win in 2016.
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