Chance to the live the good life off grid in North Yorkshire

This wonderful, eco-friendly homestead, now for sale for £775,000, was created by a couple who pursued a dream of living the “Good Life”. What they built would have made TV favourites Tom and Barbara green with envy. Even Margo Leadbetter could find nothing to sneer at thanks to the determination and years of hard work that went into sensitively turning a 3.5 acre plot of land into a sustainable haven.

The adventure began when John and Sue Sims bought a derelict cottage and adjoining land at Badger Bank, a tranquil, rural spot close to the villages of Westow and Kirkham Abbey.

After realising that the cottage was too far gone to save, they instead applied to build a new house nestled into the bank. They won planning permission thanks to an outstanding design by John’s father Ron Sims, a renowned ecclesiastical architect.

Constructed of local limestone, the three bedroom house has a glass atrium, which brings uninterrupted rural views. The Sims and their children finally moved there in 2006 when the property was habitable and capable of running completely off-grid.

Boasting a rare ‘A’ rated energy performance certificate, Badger Bank has photo-voltaic solar panels, a wind turbine and battery storage. There is also a heat recovery and ventilation system, underfloor heating and a central vacuum system. Working on the interior fit-out using natural materials was a labour of love for John, who was a perfectionist and a polymath who could turn his hand to anything from furniture making to metalwork, along with baking, his former profession.

A keen upcycler, his 1,300 sq ft workshop was his repurposed pride and joy, though Sue says: “I was horrified when an old school room from Hertfordshire arrived flat packed on the back of a wagon but John and our son managed to put it up and he loved it. He called it ‘The Shed’, which was an understatement. That was where he made everything. He could turn his hand to anything.”

Sue’s love of gardening is also evident in the grounds, which include a vegetable patch and orchard. Badger Bank also has its original derelict cottage, which has potential for development and a paddock. “It has been the most wonderful place to live and bring our children up in but it is now time to downsize,” says Sue.

For details contact: Cundalls, tel: 01653 697820, www.cundalls.co.uk

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