Shropshire developers Mick Dudley and Robert Snape definitely had their work cut out for them when they took on their first project as MJ Dudley Limited.
Coton Park Cottage had lain derelict for twenty years, it had no windows, no first floor and the roof was just managing to hang on to the rafters.
Nine months later the property at Coton Park, Quina Brook, between Whitchurch and Wem, has been totally restored and extended to become a good-sized country property, with large gardens, plenty of parking space and a double garage.
The work included taking down some dangerous walls and reusing the original bricks, installing stunning kitchen and bathroom fittings, double glazed wooden windows, solid wood internal doors, a split level staircase and a wood burner in a newly created chimney breast in the living room.
The home lies in a good position, surrounded by countryside.
The attractive, well designed, warm and welcoming home has now been put up for sale by Mick and Robert, as they begin work on project number two.
Coton Park Cottage is therefore on the market with Paul F Harfitt & Co of Wem for £325,000 (Details correct at time of publication - February 2007).
It has an entrance hall, study/dining room, lounge, kitchen, utility area, downstairs wc, small first floor landing, master bedroom, bedroom two, bedroom three and bathroom.
The front of the property is surfaced as a parking area which leads to double garage.
At the rear of the cottage is a large patio area with deck under which are footings for a conservatory. The sides of the home are mainly laid to lawn.
Mick and Robert had worked in the building trade for 25 years, employing other people.
Mick said: “We decided we’d had enough of that and that we’d have a go at this ourselves.”
Mick describes Coton Park Cottage as “the first one - our baby”. The work on it has been done to a high standard.
“We have used all the best materials. Because this is our first one we’ve tended to go overboard. We have done it to the standard that we would want to live in,” said Mick.
The cottage is thought to possibly have once been a farm labourer’s cottage, belonging to nearby Coton Park Farm.
Mick said: “It was derelict for 20 years. There was no first floor, the roof was just hanging on. There were no windows, they had just rotted to pieces.”
The pair managed to keep an original fireplace in the entrance hall and a few of the walls.
Mick said: “It already had planning permission on it. I think another builder had bought it and then decided not to do it because they already had too much on at the time. We were here near enough every day. We loved it.”
The duo chose to decorate it out in neutral style with pale wall shades, natural style carpeting and large slate-style floor tiles in the kitchen and utility.
The front door opens into the entrance hall, which can also be used as a dining room, as pictured.
The split level staircase leads up from the right side of the room while a door to the right immediately before it opens to the front facing study/dining room.
A door to the rear of the hall opens to the living room with feature fireplace and log burner. French doors open out to the decked patio and garden.
A door to the rear left of the entrance hall leads to the kitchen. It is a good sized room which has been smartly fitted out and overlooks the front. French doors to the rear again open out to the decked patio and garden.
The kitchen has ample storage and work surfaces. Fitted appliances include a built-in gas hob with electric fan assisted oven, built-in extractor fan above, built-in dishwasher and fridge freezer.
An archway leads through to the good sized utility area, which again faces the front. It has plumbing for a washing machine and space for a tumble dryer plus door to a large downstairs WC.
Upstairs the family bathroom has a luxury suite with corner bath. Both the master bedroom and second bedroom are of a good size while bedroom three is a single room.
A spokesman for the selling agents said that up to eight vehicles could be parked on the driveway and that the cottage had views of surrounding countryside.
- Further details are available from Paul F Harfitt & Co of Tudor House, 47 High Street, Wem on 01939 232775.
- Details correct at time of publication - February 2007
By Cathy Stanworth
Share this article:
What are these?