A LOTTERY heiress who hoped to turn a bungalow into a £5million luxury mansion with views over Edinburgh Castle sold it for £880,000.
Lisa Charters, 34, and husband Craig, 35, upset neighbours in leafy Morningside by seeking planning permission to knock down the humble 1950’s three-bedroom property.
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The pair wanted to replace the existing house with a ‘Grand Designs’ style construction with zinc cladding, white brick and a sweeping paved driveway with views towards Edinburgh Castle.
Award-winning architect Richard Murphy was drafted in to develop plans for the three-storey, five-bedroom, property to look out over the capital.
But despite their controversial scheme being approved by Edinburgh City Council last year the couple walked away and put the plot on the market for offers over £775,000.
Official records show the property has now been snapped up for £880,000 after being unoccupied for a year.
It had been bought by Charters in 2021 for £875,214 which was £200,000 more than the original asking price.
Charters’ parents, David and Carol Martin, from Hawick in Roxburghshire won £33million on the National Lottery in 2016 and gave her a share, which she used to travel the world with her husband.
Their initial plans for the house were redrawn after a planning furore in 2022, agreeing to reduce the height of the building by 1.5 metres and moving it slightly away from a neighbour’s property.
Planning officials from City of Edinburgh Council recommended the new scheme for approval despite 63 objections being received.
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A sales advert for the house said: “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.”
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The architect who designed the plans for the house added: “Our clients had a change of mind and they’ve gone elsewhere.
“It’s not to do with cost or neighbours. They’ve just had a change of mind.”
Councillor Euan Hyslop said at the time of the Charters’ application: “I can understand why there have been a number of concerns raised by neighbouring residents. But I think it is a fitting addition.
“It is modern, uncompromisingly modern, which is a good way of putting it.
“But I think it is an architecturally really interesting application.
“I can’t see it having a massive impact on amenity.”
The Charters were approached for comment.
