Conversion challenge in 'idyllic' location; move & improve this week's choice property with bags of potential.

AN unfinished barn conversion has come on to the market as the couple who were building their dream home have separated since the project began.

The 4,500 sq ft, three-storey property is in the hamlet of Hazon, Acklington, 10 miles from Alnwick, five minutes from the A1. It is set within one-and-a-half acres of land and offers a blank canvas for someone wanting to create their dream home in the countryside.

"It has walls, floors and a roof," said Sam Smith, valuer at Pattinson in Morpeth. "The room partitions are up but it's not boarded so there is scope to change the layout. The owners were going to have five bedrooms plus a cinema room and games room on the top floor. There's also a double garage."

Completing the work would cost pounds 100,000 to pounds 150,000, based on the owner's estimates from two years ago. There are no main services connected but a septic tank has been installed.

"What you spend depends on the level of finish," said Mr Smith. "It's a very large house. The kitchen alone is the size of the entire ground floor in many houses." He estimates the completed property would be worth pounds 600,000 to pounds 700,000.

Mr Smith says the woodland setting with burn is idyllic. "There are only seven or eight dwellings there next to Hazon House," he said. "It's 15 minutes from Morpeth and 35 minutes from Newcastle."

The property is in the next Pattinson auction at Kingston Park Rugby Club, Newcastle on October 27, tel: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

UNFINISHED PROJECT This barn conversion presents a blank canvas for the new owner.