Viewers of Channel 4's Grand Designs were left aghast this week as a couple's ambitious £7 million project to build a modern castle was unveiled, with many comparing the vast structure to a multi-storey car park, a prison, or a nuclear bunker.
A Controversial Vision Takes Shape
The episode followed entrepreneur Piers Daniell and police officer Emma, who embarked on one of the show's most expensive and contentious builds. In 2021, they purchased a converted 17th-century folly in Warwickshire for £1.4 million. The landmark building, originally constructed on the advice of the Prince Regent, was a familiar sight in the local landscape.
Their plan was to demolish the existing structure and create the UK's first new castle in a century, with an initial budget of £2 million. However, this decision sparked immediate fury among locals, who lamented the loss of a historic piece of architecture. One resident stated they were "absolutely aghast," while another called the demolition "devastating."
Host Kevin McCloud also expressed reservations, noting that while the old folly was "damp, cold and miserable," that was "not an excuse to tear a piece of history down." Piers defended the move, calling the original a "horrible looking building" made from pebbledash, but pledged to salvage what they could.
Spiralling Costs and Construction Nightmares
The project's financial and practical challenges began almost immediately. The demolition was delayed by four weeks and incurred an extra £100,000 after the old building was found to be riddled with asbestos. Groundworks alone eventually cost a staggering £1.1 million, double the initial estimate.
As banks refused a mortgage, Piers was forced to liquidate assets to fund the dream. He sold multiple businesses, his London flat, a south coast home, and even his car. In a desperate move, he also secured a six-figure loan from his mother Trisha's pension, admitting that asking her to "gamble their future" was a significant request.
The budget ballooned from £2 million to approximately £7 million. The partially completed castle shown to McCloud was a stark, ultra-modern interpretation built from recycled bricks and fitted with windows that numerous viewers criticised for looking like white PVC.
Public Backlash and a Bitter Sale
The audience reaction was brutal. On social media platform X, one viewer declared it looked like a "multi storey car park," while another branded it "the ugliest building I've ever seen," likening it to a cross between a prison and a nuclear bunker. Others questioned the aesthetic taste, with one comment reading, "Money can't buy taste."
Not all feedback was negative; a minority praised the couple's commitment to their vision. However, by late 2024, with only a shell of the castle standing and finances in tatters, the couple made the heartbreaking decision to agree with lenders to put the property up for sale. This meant there was no guarantee they or their two daughters would ever live there.
When Kevin McCloud returned in September 2025, the build remained unfinished. Now named Alcester Castle, the property is on the market with Sotheby's for £7.95 million. Described as "set for final completion," it boasts eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and spans over 11,500 square feet.
Despite the controversy, financial ruin, and the likely loss of their dream home, the couple insist they have no regrets. They believe they have created something that will endure for centuries. Piers reflected that it was "probably 50/50" whether they could ultimately keep the castle, a monument to ambition that divided a nation of Grand Designs fans.
