Kevin McCloud, the host of Grand Designs, has spoken about the so-called 'saddest house' ever featured on the show, Chesil Cliff House in Croyde, North Devon, often referred to as the 'Lighthouse'. He expressed relief that the build was filmed despite its troubled outcome and provided an update on the project's owner, Edward Short.
The Lighthouse Project: A Grand Designs Ordeal
The episode, first aired in 2019, followed Edward Short's ambitious plan to build a luxury lighthouse-inspired home. What began with a budget of £1.8 million and an 18-month timeline spiraled into a 12-year saga costing approximately £7 million. The strain took a toll on Short's personal life, including the breakdown of his 20-year marriage, while his daughters attempted to raise funds through car boot sales. Short never lived in the completed house, as he sold it to cover costs. In late 2025, the property sold for around £5.25 million, down from its original asking price of £10 million.
Kevin McCloud's Reflections on Edward Short
McCloud said of Short: 'I think he's just licking his wounds a bit and enjoying life and relaxing. He learned so much when we did the revisit. He was very philosophical and in a good place, very self-critical of some decisions but not regretful of the journey. I think he found a lot of happiness and resolution. It was redemptive. The press made a fuss about it being the saddest, most expensive, most disastrous, but I'm pleased we filmed it. I'm sad it didn't work out for him, but the truth is more complex than tabloid headlines. It's about how these projects affect people and where human energy comes from. The greatest driver of good things is love, and there was plenty of that in the film.'
Common Mistakes in Self-Build Projects
McCloud, who has hosted the show for 27 years, noted that people 'almost always' make the same mistake when building their own homes: overconfidence and overreaching. 'We all think we can do everything ourselves after watching a YouTube video,' he said. He advised finding great collaborators, allowing more time for planning, and building homes three-quarters of the intended size. 'Most new homes are too big. Size doesn't equal space; space is a concept. A view to the sky or a window above a shower can create amazing space.'
The Pitfall of Oversized Homes
McCloud highlighted that nearly everyone wastes money on making houses too big. 'People often set out to build an eco-home but end up with a vast one, bigger than they need. They realize it when the roof goes on or when they move in and their furniture looks tiny. I visited a house yesterday where the basement bedrooms were palatial, and the owner thought they seemed small. I said, just wait.'
Kevin McCloud was speaking ahead of Grand Designs Live, the UK's premier home and design exhibition, taking place at London ExCeL from 1 to 4 May.
