Lottery couple who abandoned £5 million 'Grand Designs' mansion hated by locals sell home for profit

The lottery couple who abandoned their £5million mansion hated by locals have sold their home for a small profit.

Lisa Charters absolutely secured the bag when her parents, Carol and David Martin, won a whopping £33 million on the National Lottery in 2016 and gave her a share.

She used a chunk of the money to travel the world with her husband, Craig, before purchasing a three-bedroom bungalow in Morningside in 2021 for £875,000.

The couple paid £200,000 more than the original asking price for the spot with views of the Edinburgh skyline before starting their ‘Grand Designs’ style £5 million plans.

Truly looking like something from the popular TV show, they planned to demolish the place and then have it with zinc cladding, white brick and a dramatic sweeping paved driveway – all with incredible views of the famous castle.

The original bungalow. (Rightmove)

It was set to become a three-storey, five-bedroom mansion with award-winning architect Richard Murphy drafted in to develop the plans.

But locals were not happy about it.

Edinburgh Live reported that ‘some of the 63 objectors’ were ‘furious’ that the council used public transport of part of their case recommending approval.

One ranted: “Are they seriously suggesting lottery winners will be getting the bus into town?

“To claim that multi-millionaires will be supporting local bus services is a joke.”

There were claims made that locals’ privacy would be invaded, sunlight reduced and property prices could be affected.

But despite controversy, Edinburgh City Council approved their proposals.

And yet, the couple decided to abandon it last year, putting the plot up for offers over £775,000.

The Charters haven’t exactly won the lottery in terms of making profit on the place though, as official records show it’s now been sold for £880,000.

So, after its sat there empty for the last year, the couple have made just £5,000 from it.

A digital mock-up of what it would have looked like (Richard Murphy Architects)

A sales advert for the lottery heiresses’ place read: “Quietly situated in an elevated position just minutes from Morningside and the Braid Hills Golf Course, this expansive 1,507 sq. ft bungalow showcases a spectacular 270-degree panoramic view of Edinburgh, stretching from the iconic Arthur's Seat to the magnificent Pentland Hills and presents a rare opportunity for discerning buyers.

Approved planning permission means that it can now be transformed should the new owners wish, into a contemporary and unique three-storey home featuring five bedrooms, a garage, and a gym, all with a jaw-dropping city aspect."

And the architect responsible for the ‘Grand Designs’ style plans added: “Our clients had a change of mind and have gone elsewhere. It's not to do with cost or neighbours, they've just had a change of mind."

Well, I wonder what’s going to happen to the house next.

Topics: Money, TV, UK News, Home

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_