Hobbit Hole fun

Our Kidderminster team took part in Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme, which aired on Wednesday evening.

The team was filmed carrying out work to install a new electricity supply to a very unusual property deep within the Wyre Forest, in an area which apparently inspired JRR Tolkien to create Middle Earth and its famous fictional characters.

Cut into 50ft high sandstone cliffs deep, the cave house had no running water or electricity and had not been inhabited for more than seven decades.

Undeterred by its dilapidated condition, the new owner - Angelo, a 37 year old former recruitment boss, set about transforming the hobbit hole into a comfortable modern home.

Assistant Planner Sophie Grant, who received the initial request said: “When we first went to site I couldn’t believe this man wanted a connection into this old, dirty, cold cave. After various site visits and different quotations, we managed to agree a cable route and Angelo asked us to go ahead with the connection.”

The work was scheduled to be carried out in May, as Technician Tim Evans explained: “Before we could connect the supply up we had to move the position of the nearest transformer and upgrade it to accommodate the new dwelling. We then laid 220 metres of mains cable and 30 metres of service cable to bring a supply to the cave. It is definitely one of the most unusual jobs I’ve been involved with.”

Members of the Kidderminster team outside the finished cave house with owner Angelo Mastropietro (front centre).

They also popped back to site to see the cave house once it had been finished. “I have such admiration for Angelo. The cave house is a beautiful and unique home now that it’s finished. He has done a wonderful job and made his cave man dream come true. I really enjoyed working on this project,” added Sophie.

The episode can be viewed at: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/on-demand/57385-006