On yesterday’s episode of BBC Homes Under the Hammer (Monday, January 13), a Derby couple received an unexpected shock at their Chaddesden property. Lee and Laura snapped up the Derby plot for £60,000 at auction, seizing a rare chance to develop in a sought-after residential area with approved plans for a four-bedroom townhouse.
Described as “a developer’s dream come true” by host Dion Dublin, the lot held a startling secret about its initial development phase. While laying the foundations, Lee, who runs a building firm, stumbled upon a hand grenade nestled in the bushes.
Recounting the incident, Lee said: “We had to call the police, and the bomb squad came down. They evacuated all the houses down here.”
Despite the alarming find, the family was keen to press on with their construction plans, involving their children Amelie and Louis in the process.
With a budget of £170,000, they aimed to erect a three-story dwelling to rent out, focusing on creating a high-spec family home complete with a spacious garden, driveway with EV charging points, and a heat pump to cut carbon emissions.
Lee’s team, comprising eleven workers and various subcontractors, was tasked with completing the Derby build within 8-10 months, reports Derbyshire Live.
A local estate agent has estimated that upon completion, the property could be rented out for around £1,200 per calendar month or sold for a price of £325,000.
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