Louise Houston purchased a disused public toilet block at an auction in Cheltenham in 2011 for £35,000, envisioning it as a place to stay while visiting family. After incurring £5,000 in legal and planning fees and an estimated £45,000 to £50,000 in construction costs, she completed the renovation into a two-bedroom holiday home by 2019.
The property was subsequently operated as an Airbnb, attracting guests such as walkers and dog owners due to its countryside location, with nightly rates around £120. Houston is now selling the converted property for offers in the region of £300,000.
The finished residence includes two double bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, a combined kitchen and dining area, a separate sitting room, and a downstairs toilet. The home's rural setting on Cleeve Hill, adjacent to common land, provides access to extensive walking routes.
Houston, a letting agent from Cornwall, stated that her children are now more independent, prompting her decision to sell the property. She described the project as personal, noting that she managed the funding, planning, and construction aspects herself.
Originally from Cheltenham, Houston was working in Cornwall when she purchased the toilet block. Her tourism-related job offered little work during winter months, and she was spending significant amounts on accommodation to visit her five children and grandchildren. The initial plan was to create a simple bedsit, but discussions with planners led to a larger project.
Upon purchase, the building was visibly a disused public toilet with the fixtures still in place. The renovation process involved navigating planning permission, which Houston pursued for several years. Initial applications were denied, with planners reportedly preferring the building to retain a more utilitarian appearance rather than a cottage style with dormer windows. After multiple attempts, permission was granted to increase the building's height, which allowed for the creation of upstairs bedrooms.
The conversion required removing toilets and urinals, and the roof was taken off to facilitate the height increase. A first floor was installed, and windows were placed in their original locations. Houston noted that the property's popularity as an Airbnb stemmed partly from the provision of en-suite bathrooms for both bedrooms.
Houston is selling the property to focus on a new building project in Cornwall and to alleviate the logistical challenges of managing a property from 200 miles away, including finding reliable cleaners. She acknowledged that parting with the home will be emotional due to the personal investment made in its transformation.