New looks for old as tiny cottage is transformed into a modern home

It took four years to get planning permission for this property, which sits on the edge of the Nostell Priory estate, near Wakefield.

Owner Stuart Panton and his partner, Gail, pushed for a contemporary design while the planning and conservation officers wanted something more conventional.

The result is a marriage between the two in a stunning location overlooking 300 acres of National Trust land.

“When we first came to see the plot, there was an old one bedroom cottage on it. It was only when we went into the garden that we realised what an amazing spot it was,” says Stuart.

“The planners wanted us to retain a cottage look at the front of the property, which is why we used a hipped roof and built with stone.

“There was a lot of negotiation, which took time, and then we went back to apply for permission to create a basement cinema room. The design is nothing like what we had in mind at the beginning of the process but we have ended up with a beautiful house.”

Gail gave up her job as a nurse to project manage the build, which took two years and no expense was spared on what was supposed to be their forever home.

The decision to put it on the market two years after moving in came after the couple decided to have a mid-life adventure and go travelling.

“The plan was to stay here as we love the house and it’s such a lovely place to be thanks to the location and the wildlife. However, we have decided that a forever home isn’t what we want right now, so we are planning to travel round Australia and America,” says Stuart.

The property is set over five levels and is designed to make the most of the views. It includes a large kitchen with dining area and doors leading onto the garden, two bedrooms and a utility room on the ground floor, a sitting room with views over Nostell Priory parkland on the first floor and a large master bedroom suite on the top floor.

The enormous basement cinema room could be converted to guest accommodation or split to make a games room and home office. Outside, there is a parking area, lawns and a landscaped garden.

For more details on The Lodge, Wragby, contact Noble and Lord estate agency, tel: 01977 552702, www.nobleandlord.com

*Wragby is between Wakefield and Doncaster and is a 15-minute drive from the M62 and 20 minutes from the A1. Nostell Priory is on the doorstep. The 18th century priory, owned by the National Trust, has decorative interiors by Robert Adam and 300 acres of parkland and gardens.