How a Kentish couple with the self-build bug found paradise in Cyprus.
Meet The Builders
Names: Adrian and Wanda Clarke
Ages: 50 and 52
Jobs: Both now retired from careers in IT
First property 1981: Three bedroom semi-detached house in Kent purchased for £28,000. Sold in 1983 for £34,000.
First UK self-build project 1983: Kent – fifth of an acre land plot bought for £20,000, build cost of four-bedroom house £40,000 – total = £60,000. Sold in 1986 for £90,000.
Second UK self-build project 1986: Kent – two thirds of an acre land plot bought for £52,000, build cost of five-bedroom house £78,000 – total = £130,000. Rented for £900 a month in 1989, sold in 1991 for £250,000.
Third self-build project in Cyprus 1987: Hillside village of Armou 7km from Paphos – 1,400m2 land plot bought for CY£14,500 (£17,244) through the agent Betterbuilt.
As newlyweds the Clarkes spent two happy years in their semi-detached property in Kent, but by 1983 felt the time was right to move up the property ladder. “We went to view a show home on a new development but, unfortunately, there were no properties left,” explains Wanda. “But this turned out to be the best outcome by far since the agent suggested that we self-build. With no previous experience, we had absolutely no idea how to go about it, but when we were told that the Kent authorities were selling land plots specifically for this purpose, we couldn’t help but feel intrigued.”
On discovering that the plots were located deep within Kent’s scenic countryside, the couple were soon picturing the project ahead, and worked alongside an architect to design a stunning four-bedroom home. 10 months later the property was complete and the couple moved in, yet a surprise opportunity lay in wait. “Adrian was offered a job in Kuwait that was too good to pass up,” says Wanda. “We spent three years in the Middle East and loved the expat social life. During this time we sold our property in the UK, but when our daughter was born, decided that we’d like a base in the UK for the future.” This time they bought a plot of land in Walderslade near Tunbury Woods and, with two years in which to start the build, the couple bided their time in Kuwait until moving back was possible.
Since Adrian’s parents hadn’t seen their first grandchild, the couple agreed to meet up midway between Kuwait and England in Cyprus. Adrian points out, “We knew we wanted to retire overseas, so when a friend of ours suggested that the island’s laid-back lifestyle, tropical climate and familiar aspects such as left-side driving and widely-spoken English would be ideal, the trip held twice the appeal.” Wanda adds. “We loved the country the moment we stepped off the plane and breathed in the warm flower-scented breeze. There’s a tremendous sense of hospitality, too, where children are made a real fuss of.” Enthused by the prospect of future retirement, Adrian and Wanda took the opportunity to land hunt.
Perfect Panorama
Wanda recalls, “We were taken to a plot perched on the tip of the hillside just outside the tiny village of Armou with a panoramic outlook over the whole of Paphos. It seemed perfect standing in a world of its own, but was just 10 minutes away from the town and 15 to the airport. Fortunately, the land already had planning permission with no deadline to build, meaning we could develop it when we liked, so I told Adrian that we had to buy it!”
Returning from their holiday in Cyprus, the couple concentrated on the Kent plot. The five-bedroom timber frame Grand Chester house took 10 months to complete with features such as a galleried landing, inglenook fireplace and beams. “We moved in just before Christmas 1988 and had a wonderful family holiday. Then, shortly afterwards, Adrian was offered work again in Kuwait, leaving almost immediately with me and our daughter following on in June of ’89."
While another move only served to hone their adaptive skills, the family had no idea of the terrifying ordeal to come. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990 the Clarkes found themselves in the middle of the fighting. Wanda recalls, “The whole coast was under siege, including our villa. Friends living inland invited us to stay with them and it ended up with around 12 of us hiding out there, literally fleeing to the loft in silence every time the army turned up. The curtains were always drawn and, although the local Kuwaitis were incredibly kind and brought us food and supplies, we were trapped. The army used to visit the house and take anything they wanted and the constant sound of gunfire was petrifying. On the 8th September 1990 women and children were allowed to leave the country, but Adrian had to stay behind, giving me a will just before we said goodbye. Thankfully, we all made it back to England safely.”
Despite their terrifying experience, Adrian returned to Kuwait once it was liberated in February 1991, but knew he wouldn’t stay long as the most important thing in life from now on was to settle somewhere safe and be able to spend more time with his family. With this in mind, they sold their Kent property and rented a small villa in Paphos in order to build a new home in Cyprus. Their daughter started at the international school and, though Adrian was still making trips to Kuwait for work, the flight time of two hours made it possible to visit frequently.
Their third self-build project was the biggest so far as the plot had no driveway access or amenity connections and, while the couple had a hands-on approach with the design aspects, a developer sourced local workers to build the bungalow comprising two ensuite bedrooms, a workshop, study, lounge and kitchen with separate guest wing and pool. The entire layout centred around the expansive views with the property designed in a boomerang shape only one room deep, apart from the study and workshop. Adrian explains, “This concept gave a whole new meaning to ‘room with a view’! We also had firm stipulations for the materials and functionality as we wanted it to look like an old stone house, in keeping with the village and mountainous environment, but with every modern convenience for a comfortable family home.”
Modern, Yet Traditional
The Clarkes insisted on British building standards such as damp proofing alongside Cypriot practices such as being earthquake proof, and whereas friends report problems such as damp and cracks, the Clarke’s home has stood the test of time and is easy to maintain, despite being 14 years old. The kitchen is perhaps the best example of blending modern convenience with tradition, epitomised by a touch-control self-cleaning oven set in a stone alcove with handmade wooden units. Family life is evident in the daughter’s bedroom designed with a step up to the bath and low sink, while to compliment the al fresco lifestyle, a slanted roof was designed to extend the entire width of the property, providing year-round shade for their collection of hammocks and sunbeds.
Within a year ‘Tarmou’ was complete. Adrian says, “I think the reason we had no major hiccups was that the developer and builders knew we’d self-built before. The only minor problem I recall is that the carpenter was rather useless, so I did a lot of the woodwork for the doors and shutters myself. At the time we built there were limited products and materials available – we wanted double glazing, but the only option had silver frames which wouldn’t have suited the rustic style, but we’ve changed these since to aluminium frames with wood effect, creating a natural look but with the added comfort of double glazing, fly screens and shutters.”
Once habitable, the family organised a container of furniture to be shipped from the UK including their prized dark leather Chesterfields, rugs and pictures from their days in Kuwait, along with Suffolk latches for the doors and shutters and two iron wagon wheels which have been neatly set in the stone walls of the garden with honeysuckle seeping through. Local pieces also play a part in adorning the property with a Cypriot bread tray strung up in the kitchen and a dough barrow used as a plant holder in the garden. The bedstead in their bedroom was transformed from half of a heavy Cypriot door, while the couple have sourced antique treasures from dowry chests to period dressers throughout their time on the island.
The outside areas also infuse a touch of The Good Life and the garden has matured beautifully over the years, with gently sloping shelves littered with seasonal plants weaving around a lower level from the pool. Apple, pomello, fig, peach and plum trees found in the main garden compliment the small orchard behind the house, and there’s even a small vegetable patch brimming with strawberries, tomatoes, aubergines and peppers.
Such a stunning family home has been treasured immensely by the Clarkes and will be difficult to leave though, since their daughter moved back to England, the couple now realise the need to downsize. Wanda explains, “Above all, we hope that the next owners will enjoy it as much as we have. We’d love our next project to be an eco-friendly house as we’re very keen to update ourselves on new technology, but think that whoever buys our Cypriot property will also have a new adventure to embark upon, especially since the division of the property with a separate wing could be turned into a holiday business with rental ranging between CY£250 to CY£325 (£297 to £387) a week, depending on the season.”
Yet more than the cosy comforts of their home, the couple will miss the lifestyle of a Cypriot village, where life is as quirky as it comes. “It’s a truly local atmosphere,” they say. “The garden attracts a fantastic array of wildlife such as chameleons, hedgehogs, birds, owls and bats. The plus side of living in a rural village comes with the generosity of the locals. The village still has just a church and two coffee shops, while traditional farming life trundles along as it’s always done. We were one of the first foreign families to move into the area and we’ve watched Paphos triple in size over the years, but the view is still spectacular, especially at night. Such a unique property and lifestyle will certainly be hard to beat.”
Tricia Willis
Self-Building Tips
• Self building enables you to customise a property to suit your lifestyle requirements and budget
• Choose a reliable property agent and lawyer who will ensure that there are no existing debts on the property or land and can obtain the proper planning and building permissions
• It’s imperative to source reliable professionals for every stage of the project – don’t be tempted to cut any corners
• If you can’t be on site to manage the project yourself, make sure that you have a reliable person managing the project at all times on your behalf so that plans run as smoothly as possible
• Build plenty of leeway into your timescale and budget to allow for unforeseen problems and delays
• Choose a plot that will stand the test of the time: for example, if you value the views, ensure that no building can take place to obstruct these in the future
• When choosing land to develop investigate the building status as certain restrictions apply, especially to protected agricultural land
• Insist on high building quality and a style that suits the weather conditions of the country you’re buying in
• Weigh up the pros and cons of shipping out your furniture from another country compared to buying again in your new location since items from the UK are often unsuitable for hotter climates such as Cyprus
• Take time to speak to people who have been there and done it – they are likely to offer invaluable advice on aspects you may not have thought of
Useful Websites
www.cybuyer.net - New auction website for Cyprus including household items.
www.cyprusbuilder.com - Useful site for all aspects of house-building.
www.wowcyprus.com - Includes top tips and information on building a property in Cyprus.
www.cyprus.angloinfo.com - Includes information on buying land to build in Cyprus.
www.cyprusnet.com - Broad ranging Cyprus directory.