Louise Houston, a letting agent from Cornwall, purchased a disused public toilet block at auction in Cheltenham for £35,000 in 2011. After years of planning battles and renovations, she transformed it into a two-bedroom holiday home now valued at £300,000.
From toilet block to stylish home
Houston spent £5,000 on legal and planning fees and between £45,000 and £50,000 on construction, completing the project by 2019. The finished property features two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen-dining area, a separate sitting room, and a downstairs toilet.
Initially, Houston planned a simple bedsit for herself to visit family in Gloucestershire. However, after consulting planners, she aimed for a larger holiday let. “It was for very selfish reasons that I initially bought it, just to house myself during the winter months,” she said.
Overcoming planning obstacles
Houston bought the toilet block without planning permission and faced multiple rejections. “I tried about three or four attempts before I finally got permission to increase the height of the building,” she said. Tewkesbury Borough Council initially wanted the structure to retain its toilet-block appearance rather than allowing a cottage-style conversion with dormer windows.
The renovation involved ripping out toilets and urinals, installing insulation, and removing the roof to add height for first-floor bedrooms. Houston described the original state as “pretty grim” with all toilets still in place.
Popular Airbnb and sale
Houston used the property as her winter home and rented it on Airbnb for about £120 per night in summer. It attracted walkers, hikers, and dog owners due to its rural location near Cleeve Hill. “It’s been quite popular… we get a lot of dog walkers,” she said.
Now, Houston is selling the property with offers around £300,000. She cited logistical challenges of operating from 200 miles away in Cornwall and a need to release funds for a new building project there. “My children are all older now… it’s time for me to let it go to somebody else,” she said. “It was my baby. I did it all myself. It was a real female project.”
