GRAND DESIGNS RETURNS FOR NEW SERIES (2021 PREVIEW)

The iconic property show returns for a new series, as Kevin McCloud follows more of Britain's most ambitious self-building projects, as intrepid individuals attempt to design and construct the home of their dreams.

Not many of us would even think about building our new home within a cemetery, but that's precisely the mission of former army captain Justin.

He's spent a whopping £1.8 million on an abandoned neo-Gothic cemetery keeper's lodge and adjoining ex-council toilet block in south west London. Justin's vision is to restore the lodge but demolish the ugly toilet blocks and replace them with an enormous luxury ground floor extension, with an added moat and a giant basement with a swimming pool - all just metres from the nearest grave. He plans to build the house, for himself and his five-year-old son, in just one year and for no more than £1.6 million.

With some builders' quotes coming in at £4 million, the project hits delays right from the off. And when the tortuous demolition and excavation finally start, incredibly Justin decides his basement needs to be even bigger, so extends the excavation directly underneath the heavy stone-built Gothic lodge, adding hugely to the engineering costs and schedule.

Grand Designs returns Wednesday 6th January on Channel 4.