‘Grand design’ setin county’s jewel

Never was that more true than in the case of traditional carpenter and joiner, Ben Halsey and his wife Linsi, from West Sussex.

They have taken the past seven years off work to build their very own “grand design” home on the riverbank at Arundel, a town often described as the ‘jewel in the crown that is West Sussex’.

It has been a monumental challenge - creating a unique, contemporary home within the shell of a detached former Duke of Norfolk stables and hayloft, which had been lying redundant for the previous half century, used only for storage.

“From the first moment that we walked into the unconverted stables and hayloft at 6 Fitzalan Road, we knew we had to have it.

“We didn’t even know if we would be able to get permission to convert it to a dwelling but we just went with our gut feeling and followed our hearts.

“It meant buying the old slaughterhouse, which came as one property with the stables/hayloft as its out-building.

“Initially over our budget, it was the only way to get hold of the out-building which we had fallen in love with,” explained Linsi.

“We renovated the slaughterhouse - which had already been converted to a dwelling in the 1960s - separating its title from that of the out-building, which we wanted to live in.

“Then we sold the slaughterhouse to the most wonderful couple, who would become our neighbours once we completed the conversion of the stables/hayloft building.”

They had a clear vision of how they wanted to convert the building into their perfect home from Day One and were fortunate enough to obtain the permission to convert it to a dwelling and had the architect’s plans passed with ease, “chiefly because we wanted to work with the period features of the building and in sympathy with its surroundings”.

The oak balcony that Ben designed and constructed by traditional methods looks like it has always been there and offers arguably the best views over the river, of Arundel Castle, and the townscape.

“We wanted to achieve a traditional farmhouse style kitchen /diner with Aga and fireplace, in an open-plan living area on the ground floor, looking out onto the river and with the all important view of the Castle, yet retaining a contemporary feel upstairs, affording light and space and a feeling of tranquillity - an oasis of pure relaxation.”

Reassuringly, whenever anybody came to the building, whether it were to deliver the building materials, to connect the new gas/electricity and water main, or to inspect the building works, all these visitors said the same thing “what a wonderful space you have here, it’s got such a good feeling about it”.

“We felt the same, on that very first day we saw it.”

It has taken a long time to transform the out-building into The Old Sail Loft as it is today, with Ben doing the majority of the work himself and Linsi sourcing materials and overseeing the interior design.

Ben is now back working for his customers and earning a wage again, but it certainly has been a labour of love.

“We lavished a great deal of time and money on this wonderful home and it is a truly unique place.

“We have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to put our stamp on this building and to have enjoyed living here, but now we have different priorities and have decided to put our home on the market for the first time since its conversion. #

“It’s been a difficult decision after all our blood, sweat and tears, but the time has come to move on and hand over our beloved Old Sail Loft to the next lucky custodians, to enjoy”.

The Old Sail Loft is for sale for the very first time as a home.

Savills 01444 – 446000 guide price is £875,000 freehold.