The memorable Grand Designs home built for a former Royal Marine, adapted for his needs, is now for sale at £1.35 million.
Jon White was a Royal Marines captain who lost limbs in Afghanistan in 2010. In 2013, he and his wife, Becky, built a home, and the show followed their journey. They bought land near Tiverton, and after 14 months, they moved into their new five-bedroom home called The White House.
They raised two kids there, who are now 12 and 10 years old. Jon and Becky separated but remained friends, and now someone else can enjoy the house.
Jon is a champion kayaker who won medals for Great Britain. He said the garden was amazing, and lockdown there was a blessing thanks to the space. The house cost £250,000 over budget to build, but it created a great home designed by an architect. The house combined modern design with features for Jon.
The design worked well for everyone, and after separating, Jon and Becky co-parented there. The house allowed them space, and the old pool area became Jon’s downstairs flat. He uses the garage as his engineering workshop, supporting his business.
Becky explained that the kids are older now and need their own space. She said they loved living there, and the flat suits someone with a relative, but teens or big families could also use it. It has a lift and a quiet location.
The bills are low due to green tech that includes solar panels and rainwater harvesting. It is a special house that they enjoyed greatly. Jon wants to live by the sea and is relocating to Exmouth for kayaking. He will rent a workshop nearby in Clyst St Mary.
He said the new place is perfect because he now needs fewer adaptations in his house. Work and kayaking keep him busy, and racing is sponsored for him. Jon survived a tough tour in Afghanistan and kayaks in marathons and ocean races. He is a European champion and medal winner.
People seek him as a motivational speaker. The house has been on the market for three weeks and is getting lots of interest. It sits on 0.72 acres of land and boasts an open-plan design inside with five big bedrooms. The main suite has great views, plus there is a gym and a triple garage.
Diamond Estate Agents sells the house, and the price is £1.35 million.
