Amid a row of mansions on the shores of Hollingworth Lake lies a dream home that has been empty for almost a quarter of a century.
Queens Bay House was built as an idyllic lakeside retreat for a professional couple in 1998. Intended as a peaceful spot where the pair could wind down after stressful working lives, problems during its construction meant the custom-made bungalow has never been lived in.
Now, the unfinished home, which boasts stunning views across the picturesque lake in Rochdale, has gone on sale for just shy of £1 million.
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The weather-beaten property - located on a private road in Littleborough - is in a state of decay, cordoned off by a rusting security fence. But, yards from the public footpath encircling Hollingworth Lake, the house sits in a prime spot.
The owners have never disclosed how much money they spent building the property, which includes bespoke features such as a library built for hundreds of books.
Its sad history has even been cited at Westminster as an example of what can go wrong for people who build their own homes.
The couple spent two decades in legal disputes - first with the firm that built the property, and then a drawn-out battle with the National House Building Council (NHBC), with whom they had taken out a 'Buildmark' warranty and insurance policy.
The Watkins were unsatisfied with the quality of the home - a structural engineer would find weaknesses in the roof - and so left the house in its unfinished state as 'evidence' to support their claim with their insurers, the NHBC.
The claim began in 2001, after three years of wrangling with the builders, and took more than 15 years to settle.
Finally, the claim, involving surveyors and the financial ombudsman, was settled and the sum paid out by the NHBC was enough to finish the property.
In 2018, Rochdale Council successfully applied for a CPO (compulsory purchase order) which would have enabled the council to knock down the bungalow if insufficient progress was made. Rochdale Council had said the dilapidated bungalow "detracts from its surroundings and spoils the outlook".
In February of last year, the owners submitted a plan to demolish the bungalow and erect two houses on the site. But the local authority refused to grant outline planning permission five months later. The council said two five-bedroom detached houses on a plot currently for one house would "result in a cramped and overdeveloped appearance".
The couple appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in December 2021 but their appeal was dismissed in May, according to Yorkshire Live.
Now the four-bedroom home could be about to change hands after it was placed it on the market last month. Pictures taken by estate agent Cornerstone Estates & Lettings show the interior of the home, which has an asking price of £995,000.
One of the property’s centrepieces, its hallway, is clad in Tudor-style oak panelling as well as classical-style cornices.
Continuing the classical theme is a large family bathroom with tiled walls and Michelangelo-style paintings. The Tudor theme continues in the library with an ornate, panelled staircase, fitted oak bookshelves and a fireplace which also serves the large living room.
Downstairs, Queens Bay House has three large bedrooms but they are dwarfed by the upstairs master bedroom suite which measures approximately 13m by 7m.
Meanwhile, a lounge area opens to an expansive kitchen and dining area with lakeside views. There's also a double integral garage and large gardens to the front and rear.
The property is described as being ideal for a family that enjoys outdoor living. As well as enjoying breathtaking views of Hollingworth Lake, Queens Bay House is a stone's throw from a water activity centre, sailing club, nature reserve and several scenic walking routes.
It is also a short distance from several restaurants and shops, while the M62 and Littleborough railway station offer links to Manchester and Leeds city centres.
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