Grand Designs home branded 'worst ever' and 'big lump' as couple go over budget

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A Grand Designs home was slammed as a "big lump" (Image: Channel 4)
A Grand Designs home was slammed as a "big lump" (Image: Channel 4)

A Grand Designs home which saw a couple go over budget by £160,000 has been slammed as an "ostentatious big lump" and "worst house ever".

The popular channel 4 property programme saw Davi and Matt buy a Hertfordshire bungalow for £800,000, then knock it down to create a modern two-storey home.

Neighbours weren't happy about the scheme but planning permission was granted, and the couple had hoped to pay £550,000 for their dream home.

However, in classic Grand Designs style, they went a staggering £160,000 over budget, and it took 17 months for the home to be completed.

Viewers who watched last night's episode, which was a re-run from autumn last year, savaged the house on Twitter.

Lotto heiress builds dream mansion after row with neighbours to tear house down qhiukiuiqkrinvLotto heiress builds dream mansion after row with neighbours to tear house down
Grand Designs home branded 'worst ever' and 'big lump' as couple go over budgetDavi and Matt tore down a bungalow they purchased to make way for their dream home (Channel 4)

One person wrote: "Crikey that’s a bit…… ugly…… not really in keeping with the surroundings at all, but of an ostentatious big lump."

Another said: "Why knock down an 800k house, build something that overshadows both neighbours and totally pisses them off as well. Bet they aren't very welcome there. #granddesigns."

On TV fan simply wrote: "Worst house ever."

A fourth person asked: "Can’t help wondering if their neighbours speak to them!"

One fan took issue with the budget, saying: "I've never really watched #GrandDesigns before. Do these people often run out of money before they put up curtains?"

Grand Designs home branded 'worst ever' and 'big lump' as couple go over budgetDavi and Matt went far over budget (Channel 4)

Some viewers stuck up for the house, with one person saying: "I missed the beginning so not sure what got knocked down. But I really quite like what they've achieved. However, that budget was well and truly busted. Ridiculous amounts of money."

A second described it as beautiful and said they "love the stone work."

One person simply described it as "stunning."

In the episode, Davi and Matt explained to host Kevin McCloud they wanted a home that represented their nationalities, as they were from Zimbabwe and Australia.

They had to deal with unhappy locals, with one neighbour telling Kevin it didn't fit in the street and "I think it just looks horrible."

Grand Designs saddest house ever handed lifeline with mystery buyerGrand Designs saddest house ever handed lifeline with mystery buyer

The parents-of-two, who project managed the build, were beset by issues, as rain at the start washed out the site.

At the end of the episode, the property included a sculpture garden, offices on the ground floor, an open plan kitchen and a statement skylight.

Grand Designs is known for dividing viewers, and in December a home on Grand Designs: House of the Year, was branded "ridiculous" and "hideous".

Grand Designs home branded 'worst ever' and 'big lump' as couple go over budgetViewers were divided over the build (Channel 4)

The series features properties longlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects' House of the Year award. One episode in particular showcased "pioneering homes" on the list.

This included a home known as Mountain View. It notably has an extension which boasts a two-dimensional silhouette of a mountainscape made of foam aluminium on its roof.

"There's pioneering and there's plain ridiculous," wrote one viewer on Twitter.

Another said: "Looks some sort of abandoned, children's play house. With a 'Mountain View' foam cut out. Hideous".

Katherine Heslop

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