Is this the strangest home in Britain? The bungalow that's built around a 130-year-old railway carriage
- Jim Higgins' ex father-in-law had to build around the carriage because bizarre planning rules said it had stood for so long it could not be moved
- Mr Higgins is now restoring the former Great Western Railway carriage to possibly open to the public
When it comes to building a comfortable bungalow, Jim Higgins has got the inside track.
The retired transport manager, 60, has one of the most unique houses in Britain... because it is built around a real railway carriage.
The property in Ashton, Cornwall, is a fully functioning house but bizarrely has the fully restored 130-year-old Great Western Railway car within its walls.
House trained: Bizarre planning regulations meant that Mr Higgins' former father-in-law had to build the bungalow around the railway carriage as it could not be moved
Mr Higgins, 64, originally from Buckinghamshire took over the property from his former father-law Charles Allen who was forced to build it around the railway carriage because bizarre planning regulations meant the train could not be moved.
Mr Higgins said: 'The railway carriage was lived in by a local woman Elizabeth Richards from 1930.
'It was known as Lizzies Place to when she died in 1966.
'It then stood empty for a number of years until my ex-father-in-law came down looking for somewhere to retire.
Carriage: The unique property in Ashton near Helston is a fully functioning home but bizarrely has the fully restored 130-year-old Great Western Railway carriage within
Classy: When it comes to building a comfortable bungalow, Jim Higgins has clearly got the inside track
Comfy: The carriage, originally accommodating third class passengers, is complete with all the amenities of any normal home
'He was a master carpenter and was looking for planning permission to build a retirement home.
'He came down from Middlesex and fell in love with the spot where the railway carriage was.'
But Mr Higgins said when he applied for planning permission to build a bungalow he was told the railway carriage had been there so long it had 'grandfather rights'.
'It couldn’t be moved. So he decided to build around it.
'He actually built the bungalow as a home with kitchen and lounge etcetera but the bedrooms are in the railway carriage.
Before the build: He said when he applied for planning permission to build a bungalow he was told the railway carriage had been there so long it had 'grandfather rights'
First love: The divorcee added that he has also been working on the carriage restoration project which will be totally complete in a couple of months
From the outside: Mr Higgins added that he was considering opening it up to the public once it was fully restored - but wasn't sure of the interest
The divorcee added that he has also been working on the carriage restoration project which will be totally complete in a couple of months.
'It’s taken a huge effort trying to make it as authentic as possible,' he said. 'Getting the right specifications was very hard. There’s not a lot of information about the carriages - it would be different if it was one of the engines.
'But there’s not a lot about the carriages - for instance getting the right colour paint was a big task. It’s not something that’s available in shops.'
Mr Higgins added that he was considering opening it up to the public once it was fully restored - but wasn’t sure of the interest.
'I’ve considered turning it into a museum but I don’t know.'
Most watched News videos
- Shocking moment bike opens fire on Turkish restaurant in Dalston
- Hillary Clinton reacts to Donald Trump verdict with a wry smile
- Moment police officer is dragged down by car driver in tactical stop
- Moment woman kills pensioner with Alzheimer's in 'red mist' shove
- 16-year-old student asks Rishi Sunak why he 'hates' young people
- Protest march organised by Tommy Robinson held in Parliament Square
- Biden shares new ceasefire plan Israel is proposing to Hamas
- Nigel Farage says he backs Trump 'more than ever' after conviction
- Thousands join Tommy Robinson for far-right demo in central London
- Moment police arrest Tommy Robinson protester at London demonstration
- Hamas publishes horrifying 'psychological terror' video of hostage
- Shocking moment bike opens fire on Turkish restaurant in Dalston
I love reading these kind of stories... true Briti...
by Sean (ex-pat) 1292