Sara Haigh, 65, has transformed a notorious derelict house in Plymouth, once labelled Britain’s most disgusting home, into a modern family residence valued at £300,000, highlighting a growing trend of property restoration in the region.
A remarkable transformation has taken place in Plymouth, where a pensioner has breathed new life into what was once deemed ‘Britain’s most disgusting home’. Sara Haigh, 65, embarked on a three-year renovation journey after purchasing a dilapidated property for £145,000 at auction in 2021, significantly above its guide price of £110,000. The house, located on Camperdown Street, was notorious for its appalling condition, with an overgrown exterior and its interior filled with debris, neglected for years.
When Sara first stepped inside, she was met with chaotic scenes: discarded pizza boxes, plastic bottles, and the remnants of a long-forgotten life littered across the floors. As she recalls, “the kitchen counters were stacked with pizza boxes and food wrappers,” while grime dominated the walls and mould flourished.
The renovation work required was monumental. The roof needed urgent attention due to ivy growing from within, and the garden resembled a jungle, with weeds reaching heights of 12 feet. The couple worked tirelessly, often enlisting tradespeople to tackle tasks beyond their skill set, yet they faced challenges; finding reliable help proved difficult, with some tradesmen failing to complete essential work. Sara lamented, “We had problems that needed costly rectification work,” which led to legal action against a tradesman who still owes the couple money.
Despite the obstacles, Sara and her partner Paul Brown remained resolute. Their hard work paid off: the property has now been refurbished to a high standard and is back on the market for £300,000. This would yield a profit of £55,000 if the asking price is met. Following the renovation, the house now features three spacious bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and well-structured living areas.
The project not only revived a home but also highlighted a broader trend in the region. Similar stories of neglected properties being transformed into modern family homes have emerged from Plymouth. In another case, an abandoned Victorian house recently underwent restoration after years of neglect, while the local authorities have actively sought to rejuvenate derelict properties across the area.
Local property expert, Jordan Greenaway, emphasised the extent of the transformation: “After seeing how the property was before my seller took ownership, it is a whole new property.” Sara’s home not only stands as a testament to resilience and hard work but also underscores the potential hidden within many neglected buildings in vibrant communities like Plymouth.
Now, after years of effort and investment, Sara reflects on her journey with pride, saying, “I’m proud of all of it, to be honest; it does look amazing compared to what it was like.” This project exemplifies the powerful narrative of home renovation that resonates not just in Plymouth but across the UK, highlighting the potential for a second life for properties once deemed beyond repair.
Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1], [2]
- Paragraph 2 – [1]
- Paragraph 3 – [1], [5], [6]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [7]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [4]
- Paragraph 6 – [1]
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14758373/100K-Britain-disgusting-home-coastal-paradise.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-11-22/disgusting-house-in-plymouth-sells-for-35k-more-than-expected – In November 2021, a semi-detached house in Plymouth, described as Britain’s ‘most disgusting’ home, sold for £145,000 at auction, £35,000 above its guide price. The property, located on Camperdown Street, was notorious for its deplorable condition, with the kitchen floor covered in carrier bags, milk cartons, and old food packaging, and the exterior overrun with nettles and vines. Prior to the auction, the house was cleared of debris by a waste collection company. The sale attracted significant attention due to the property’s notorious state and the bidding war that ensued.
- https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2022-09-01/abandoned-home-finally-restored-after-bird-poo-caused-roof-to-collapse – An abandoned Victorian family-sized home in Plymouth underwent restoration after the weight of pigeon droppings caused part of the ceiling to collapse. The property, located on Beauchamp Road in Peverell, had been unoccupied since 2010 and was reported to the council’s empty homes team in 2014. Despite efforts to sell the property, the owner failed to engage, leading the council to intervene and facilitate its sale. The house was eventually restored and sold again, providing a new family with a modern home.
- https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/news/empty-home-undergoes-incredible-transformation – A dilapidated three-bedroom house on Underlane in Plympton underwent a remarkable transformation after being abandoned for nearly eight years. The property, obscured by dense overgrowth and in a state of neglect, was repossessed and purchased by local property developers Cosy Oak. The developers conducted a comprehensive ‘back-to-brick’ restoration, including replastering, installing a new kitchen and bathroom, and clearing the overgrown front garden. The renovated house was subsequently put back on the market, showcasing the potential of revitalising neglected properties.
- https://readsector.com/woman-shows-how-she-transformed-a-small-and-dark-1930s-house-into-a-21st-century-cosy-haven/ – Sue Hore, from Plymouth, purchased a 1930s house overlooking the Tamar River for £240,000 in November 2019. The property, dating back to the 1930s, was in dire need of renovation, especially the back of the house, which had mould eating away at the windows and walls. Sue and her family started working on the house the week after Christmas and have spent the last seven months remodeling it, spending £20,000 so far. The house now looks completely different, with a bigger and stylish living-room and a modern fitted kitchen as well as a terrace overlooking the Tamar Bridge to Cornwall.
- https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/bought-castle-mansion-dream-home-2351709?ico=most_popular – Greg Penn purchased Admirals House, a five-storey, 30-room property in Plymouth, in 2019. The building, once part of a grand Royal Naval hospital, was in a state of disrepair, inhabited by mice, pigeons, and rats, with no working bathrooms and a collapsing roof. Despite lacking prior renovation experience, Penn embarked on restoring the property, dedicating significant time and effort to the project. His journey highlights the challenges and rewards of undertaking large-scale home renovations.
- https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-house-filled-rubbish-take-22075094 – An abandoned house in Plymouth, covered in ivy and filled with rubbish, was put up for sale. The property, located on Camperdown Street, was acquired by a property company and was thought to have been a family home owned by an elderly couple and their son. Inside, the house was filled with old letters, junk, and newspapers, with the kitchen floor completely covered with carrier bags, milk cartons, and old food packaging. The house was listed with Auction House Devon and Cornwall, with plans for clearance before the auction.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no exact matches found in recent publications. However, similar renovation stories in Plymouth have been reported, such as the restoration of Admirals House by Greg Penn in 2019. ([inews.co.uk](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/bought-castle-mansion-dream-home-2351709?ico=most_popular&utm_source=openai)) The absence of earlier reports on this specific transformation suggests a moderate freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Sara Haigh and Jordan Greenaway do not appear in earlier sources, indicating originality. However, the phrasing of some quotes is similar to those used in other renovation stories, which may suggest a common narrative style.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and accuracy issues in the past. The reliance on a single source without corroboration from other reputable outlets lowers the reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The transformation of a dilapidated property in Plymouth aligns with known renovation projects in the area, such as the restoration of Admirals House. The details provided are plausible and consistent with similar stories. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable sources raises some questions about the narrative’s authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a compelling story of a property transformation in Plymouth, with original quotes and plausible details. However, the reliance on a single source, the Daily Mail, and the absence of corroboration from other reputable outlets raise concerns about the narrative’s authenticity. The similarity in phrasing to other renovation stories suggests a common narrative style, which may indicate a lack of originality. Given these factors, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
