Wye Valley

Ever since Rosa was a child in the Wye Valley, inspired by Grandad Leo, she dreamt of turning a family owned, century old, decommissioned steam railway reservoir into a home. Over two decades later Rosa and her partner Craig finally set out to turn this dream into reality. Their radical plan is to reinvent the reservoir as an utterly unique living space. Huge holes are to be punched through the reservoir’s flank wall to allow light to flood in. Above the kitchen in this cavernous space will be a dramatic mezzanine giving glorious views across the valley. A new subterranean concrete extension will contain four bedrooms and help enclose a hidden courtyard garden sitting at the heart of the house. It’s wildly ambitious but Rosa and Craig hope enthusiasm and emotional attachment to this special place will compensate for their inexperience and optimistic budget.

 

But builders’ quotes come in way above the £700,000 that Rosa and Craig can just about afford, mainly through borrowing, jeopardising the entire project from the get-go. After months of agonizing however, some heart-breaking news compels them to persevere with the project no matter what. That turns out to be a pandemic, numerous money crises, pregnancy and a schedule that balloons from 12 months to over three years. Will it all be worth it for Rosa to live in her beloved reservoir?