Grand Designs couple in 'brutal' bid to destroy 'lovely' Warwickshire building

A Warwickshire pair left locals 'aghast' after knocking down a beloved fortress to build the first castle in the UK for 100 years. Entrepreneur Piers and Emma purchased the Alcester property for £1.4m.

Couple Piers and Emma were seen demolishing the 17th-century building to make way for an eco-friendly castle on Grand Designs yesterday (October 29). Presenter Kevin McCloud said destroying the building was 'brutal.'

Piers said he wanted to create a 'modern' family home to share with his wife and young daughters, Florence and Edie. He had initially budgeted £2m for the project, but costs quickly soared to £5 million.