Stepping into the Tardis!

The latest project by Shropshire full-time property developers Peter Andrews and Paul Cleveley can definitely be said to be one of their best.

Seven months ago they bought large 1920s/30s dormer bungalow on the outskirts of Whitchurch, which had hardly changed over the years.

Faced with damp walls, peeling wallpaper and a warren of small rooms, they have totally renovated it.

Work included gutting it, knocking down walls to open up the space, adding a generous conservatory and installing beautiful new sanitary ware. Flooring is oak, ceramic tile or carpeting and the decoration is tastefully neutral throughout.

The pair, who lived in the property whilst doing the work together with builders, plumbers and electricians, have now put Briarfields, Tarporley Road, Whitchurch up for sale with Barbers of Whitchurch for around £385,000.

A stunning and impressive home, covering 2,300 square foot of living space, Briarfields is a lot bigger than it looks from the road and would be superb for family life.

A lot of time, effort and money has been put into the development by Peter and Paul and nothing has been stinted on. The kitchen alone has oak and stainless steel faced units, wall cabinets, and a twin ceramic Belfast style sink, Caramel gold granite worktops and Travertine marble wall tiles.

It also has new doors and windows throughout (including leaded ones to the front), a new porch, radiators and a bespoke wooden staircase Ñ installed to replace a boxed in original version which was very steep and “lethal”.

The house has four bedrooms and a nursery/dressing room, lounge, dining room, large dining kitchen, conservatory, large utility, downstairs family bathroom, upstairs family bathroom, en suite to master bedroom plus a downstairs cloaks room, next to which is the useful pantry.

Original features include beautiful dark green wall tiling in the entrance porch and picture rails. The original downstairs doors have been dipped, stripped and waxed.

Peter said the dormer bungalow had for a long time been home to an elderly lady. It was then empty for around a year.

He said: “As soon as we walked through the door we could see the potential. It was all hidden behind damp and dark rooms with peeling wallpaper.”

When they moved in the only room they found to be habitable was one of the bedrooms.

Peter said: “We tried to get rid of the warren of rooms. Upstairs there was a massive landing and tiny rooms.” The landing has been reduced and the bedrooms, bathroom and en suite made bigger upstairs.

Downstairs, a dividing wall between the original smaller kitchen and breakfast room was knocked down. This cost a lot of money as a steel support was required as well as checks from the local planning authority.

The downstairs family bathroom was made bigger by taking away a redundant corridor.

Outside, a new driveway (with bags of parking space) is in the process of construction. There is also planning permission for a garage.

The outside of the property has been repainted, new soffits, drains and guttering have been installed and the private back garden has been returfed. The house is set well back from the road. Carpets and curtains are included in the sale.

Peter said: “The budget was blown to bits because the kitchen was expensive, but we felt it was important to have the property finished to a high standard.”

Peter said that Tarporley Road was situated in a nice part of town. He said: “You’ve got good links to Chester because of the A49 and it’s also an easy walk into town.”

From the entrance porch you step up into the stunning and generous central entrance hall. Doors immediately to the right and left open to the two first double bedrooms. Further along a second door to the left opens into the great dining room.

Opposite this, across the hall is another bedroom. A further door to the right leads to the luxury family bathroom. At the end of the hall is the lovely turned staircase. A door at the rear of the hall opens to the great family living/dining kitchen.

A door to the rear far right of the room leads to the very handy utility, pantry and downstairs cloakroom. Further doors from the immediate rear left of the dining kitchen open to the great conservatory.

Upstairs the biggest ensuite bedroom overlooks the front of the property and has countryside views. Behind is the landing, off which is the nursery/dressing room and second family bathroom.

Further details are available from Barbers of High Street, Whitchurch on 01948 667272.

All information correct at time of publication - August 2007.