A Cliffside Mansion in Cornwall Faces a New Chapter
A luxurious cliff-top mansion located in the coastal village of Porthcothan, Cornwall, has recently seen its asking price drop significantly. This four-bedroom property, which was once valued at over £3 million, is now being offered through the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. The house, known as Llawnroc (Cornwall spelled backwards), was previously listed for £5 million, but its guide price has since been reduced to £3.5 million.
Neighbours of the property have shared their thoughts on the ongoing sale. One resident mentioned that the original £5 million asking price was considered unrealistic, with an estimated selling price around £2.5 million. Despite the high price tag, many locals have bought tickets for the draw, though some have already made plans to sell the home if they win.
The house was constructed by Bath-based management consultants Colin Price and Sharon Toye, who spent £1 million building it in 2014. They had previously purchased a 1960s three-bedroom house for £1.75 million, which they demolished to make way for the new development. The construction process was challenging, particularly due to the location on a cliffside. Mr. Price acknowledged the difficulty of the project, noting that the builders managed to complete the work on time despite one of the worst winters on record.
During the construction period, a rock arch in the nearby bay collapsed after being battered by storms, raising concerns among residents about the stability of the cliffs. Some community members voiced worries about the potential impact of the construction on the surrounding area. A local resident wrote about the removal of bedrock and the need for a comprehensive geological survey before any further developments could proceed.
The design of the house features four “lenses” of floor-to-ceiling glass, intended to mimic binoculars looking out to sea. However, this unique design has not been universally welcomed by the local community. Neighbours have expressed concerns about the visibility of the interiors from the coastal path, with some feeling uncomfortable about the lack of privacy.
Over the past decade, the property has also faced criticism for its size and appearance. The original design was rejected by Cornwall Council, and even after an appeal, the final version still drew complaints. One long-time resident described the current structure as worse than the initial proposal, highlighting the ongoing tensions between modern development and traditional aesthetics.
Despite these challenges, the house boasts energy-efficient features, with bedrooms designed to capture morning sunlight and living areas arranged to maximize sea views. The property spans 3,390 sq ft, offering a spacious layout with multiple rooms, including a lower ground floor featuring a bedroom, home office, and open-plan kitchen/dining area. Upstairs, there are three additional bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large sitting room.
Outside, the property includes a driveway, secure garage, covered terrace, sunken fire pit, and an outdoor shower. A gate provides direct access to the coastal path and the beach below.
While the winner of the latest Omaze draw has yet to be announced, the trend of winners quickly selling their homes has become a well-known phenomenon. For example, Lauren Keene, the youngest ever winner, sold her six-bedroom home in Wirral for £2.5 million, just months after winning. She and her partner chose to move to a more practical home in Gloucester due to the high running costs and distance from their workplace.
Reports suggest that most of the 39 UK winners of Omaze home draws have either sold or are planning to sell their properties. This pattern highlights the challenges of maintaining and managing such high-value homes, even for those who win them.
