A Grand Designs home owner risked suffering a project “mayhem” when his friend backtracked his decision on giving access permission.
Rob and his wife Kate, from Tunbridge Wells, embarked a mission to replace their 1940s prefabricated home with a bespoke, modern modular house.
With a budget of £350,000 to spend, the couple were looking for transform their family home to a two-floor three-bedroom house flooded with light.
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They met with presenter Kevin McCloud who wondered how they were going to get the pre-made house delivered to the land.
(Image: CHANNEL 4)
Rob said the boxes will have to be craned in, explaining: “A friend of mine who owns the farm behind us has given us permission to come on to the field that he owns behind this property.”
With a few weeks left before hitting the deadline, the couple revealed they had a problem regarding access for the trucks to crane in the house.
“He had a wobble. He got concerned about damage and I believe, what may, the chaos that might ensue, and he just wanted reassurance,” Rob explained.
(Image: CHANNEL 4)
Kevin then rubbed his face and laughed, saying: “Sorry I thought you were going to say he just wanted money.”
The couple then laughed as Rob added: “Yeah that too. Yeah he wanted money as well. Obviously.
“Though I had to pull it out of my pension, at the end of the day, we both got a contract that we’re both happy with.”
Kate believed it was the angst and the worry that left their friend a sudden change of heart.
But they agreed a fee of £5,000 for field access.
Grand Designs fans were shocked and judged that the neighbour’s act was not too “friendly”.
“So much of a friend who then takes money off, yikes,” one said.
Another commented: “So their “friend” the farmer had granted access, then ‘had a wobble!!?” But pulling £5k out of his pension smoothed the way? Nice friend.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
