Dad's bid to rebuild 'UK's most expensive bungalow' that cost £13.5m moves step closer as neighbours back plans

07/01/2024 05:39 PM

A DAD who plans to rebuild the ‘UK’s most expensive bungalow’ – estimated to cost £13.5Million – could now see his dreams come true after a string of setbacks.

Tom Glanfield snapped up North Haven Point, located on ‘Millionaire’s Row’ in Dorset’s Sandbanks, in March 2023.

But, the 44-year-old has been embroiled in a planning war amid his bid to demolish the dilapidated property and start over.

The Sandbanks property, dubbed ‘the UK’s most expensive’, occupies a 1.4 acre corner plot and is by far the biggest piece of real estate on Millionaires’ Row.

The dad-of-two previously told the Mailonline: “Some people have said it would be a shame to replace the property, but they probably haven't inspected it too closely. 

‘”Some people have told me they are glad it has been purchased by a local person and not a developer.”

The entrepreneur, who lives in Poole, added: “My dream is to build a permanent family home that will stand the test of time, using sustainable building methods, locally sourced materials, and calling on local tradesmen to carry out the building work,”

But, planning permission to knock down the disintegrating house was refused by Bournemouth and Poole council in January.

Despite Tom’s idea to create and eco-home and invest millions into the area, the authorities blocked it on the grounds it would “jar” against other Edwardian properties in the area.

In a conservation report, officer Kalina Kuteva wrote the design “would not respect the character” of the area.

However, Tom has since re-imagined his plans and now has the support from more than 20 neighbours.

Toby Irons, who lives nearby, told The Mail: “As a Sandbanks resident and a friend of the owner, I’ve personally visited the current house and seen its state of disrepair.

“This house and plot is in urgent need of redevelopment.

“This needs to be approved urgently to allow Tom to build a house Sandbanks can be proud of.”

Meanwhile, James Hunter Smart, said: “Unlike the ugly structures that the council have approved in recent years on Sandbanks, this proposal will enhance the area, particularly when viewed from the harbour on this iconic plot.”

And, self-made millionaire, Rob Wylie, told how most new buildings in the area have been “modern” and Tom’s plans are “no different from the many others” being currently under construction.

He said the dad-of-two’s dream family home would be “an asset to the area”.

‘PERFECTLY FITTING’

This was echoed by Simon Spaull, who said he appreciates Tom is a “family man” not a developer.

The impressed internet millionaire dubbed the designs “incredible”.

Wife Melanie Spaull added: “It will be a beautiful piece of stunning architecture” and “perfectly fitting for Sandbanks”.

Others said they were “delighted to support” Tom, and the “extremely nice, cleverly designed” new house.

In a design and access statement submitted to BCP Council as part of the planning application, Tom’s planning agent said: “The revised scheme has altered the selection of materials used to create a design using a combination of Purbeck Stone, timber on upper floors having a dark grey charred finish, and horizontal bands now in Corten effect finish. Using these materials will enable the proposal to blend in with the sylvan setting.”

‘DEATH TRAP’

The Sandbanks property, dubbed ‘the UK’s most expensive’, occupies a 1.4 acre corner plot and is by far the biggest piece of real estate on the Millionaires’ Row.

But, recruitment boss Tom admitted previously how the house “relies on obscene amounts of oil”, is covered in mould, and has a cracked concrete driveway.

And, he added that it bares outdated cork ceiling tiles in the kitchen and a disintegrating tidal wall outside.

A rickety five-bar gate and a tumbledown garage also blight the home’s exterior, as well as a “death trap” concrete swimming pool.

The previously proposed plans had shown a five bedroom home, open plan kitchen, dining area, living space, office and entertainment area, including bar.

A master suite would have boasted a jacuzzi bath with sea views, balcony and private dressing room.

In the basement, Tom’s architect had planned for a home cinema and gym.

He argued “muted natural materials” in the plans would be a better fit that “stark white” bungalows already in the area.

Tom added that the existing structure is “uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly”, while he would create a “fully sustainable, environmentally friendly, carbon neutral home”.

“The area has got a lot of superhomes but I am not that kind of guy,” he continued.

“I am pleased that I bought it and not another property developer who is going to build another modern, three storey superhome that will cost £10,000 a month to run.”

NORTH HAVEN POINT

The bungalow has been dubbed the “world’s most expensive home” and was owned by same family for 117 years before it was sold to Tom.

Known as North Haven Point, the chalet bungalow was extended in the 1950s and has a floor space of just 2,909sq ft.

It’s £13.5m price tag equates to an eye-watering £4,640 per square foot.

And, the home’s per-square-foot cost humbly thrashes the value of luxury properties in Monaco, Hong Kong and New York.

The ground floor boasts a living room, dining room and kitchen, utility rooms, store room, pantry and office.

And the first floor, which was extended in the 1950s, has the master en-suite bedroom, a guest bedroom suite and two more bedrooms.

Entrepreneur Tom made his millions after sleeping on an office floor and washing in toilet cubicles to save every penny while launching a recruitment firm from his mate’s attic.

He borrowed £9,000 on credit cards and took out a student loan and had quickly built up a client base big enough to get a small workspace in London.

“I realised I needed to give the impression that my company was well established, so I began playing a cassette recorder of loud office noise on loop in the background,” he said previously.

“I renamed my company LHi Group to make it sound more familiar and perhaps give the illusion that it was larger than it actually was.”

His company now employs 450 people across Europe and the US.