House redesign, miracles required

[tldr]

I want to move nearer to home. I can’t find a property that suits.

I’ve found one that could be just about made to suit and am looking for ideas.

The existing property is a traditional two bed single story farm cottage, similar to the one in the photo. There is a decent amount of room to extend out the back. There’s no room to the front or either side.

It’s in a complete state of disrepair so there’s nothing really to save except the shell.

Here’s where the miracle is required. It’s ‘semi rural’ which means its ground floor views are looking at the back of two different (60s and 80s) housing estates on the edge of the town. It’s not pretty.

However, if it could have a second storey, it would have glorious sea views to the front.

But all I can come up with is either knocking it down and rebuilding from scratch or putting a two storey extension on the back and hoping it didn’t look too stupid.

Google’s no help.

Hoping MN can do better. 😀

(It’s currently a really small 2 bed, I’d need it to be at least a decent 3 bed with work from home space too.)

Planning approval?

You need to know what planning will permit you to do, because, if they don't let you do anything, you're stuck with it as it is!

You'll need an architect. We've had a plan drawer (draughts (wo)man) to do straightforward stuff, but we are currently using an architect to do more imaginative stuff. They can work wonders with space!

You need someone in the area who knows what planning will allow. See what neighbouring properties have done. First thoughts are put a dormer in for a second floor and extend at the back.

And have a realistic budget with contingency for whatever architect you are talking to and also where you'll live while its happening.

3rd thought, having lived through a refurb I've often though we should have knocked down and started again with a www.huf-haus.com/en-uk/

I haven’t checked (because unless I/you can come up with an idea that excites me I’ll be doing nothing.)

I would think planning won’t be a problem at all - the cottages are ten a penny and the proximity of housing estates means there’s nothing special about this one.

Obvs if I actually do this I’ll hire professionals, am just looking for vague ideas to see if if it’s even worthwhile pursuing.