Full Description
Nestled in its own private valley, with a road up to the door, 379 Ribeira de Frades is a project ready and waiting for someone to take it to the next stage as it has had a license to build, which needs to be renewed, but should offer no problems. The owner is happy to introduce her architect and has a quote to build the house as per the plans in the photos (4 bed, 2 en-suite, 2 shower rooms, 2 kitchens as this was to be set up as one house with two apartments but the inside can be changed easily. Plans in photos.
Because this house was inhabited within the last decade or so, the lady who lived there was totally self sufficient so fruit and nut tress abound throughout the expansive terrain (kiwi, oranges of various kinds, pears, peach, walnuts etc) and the water source on the land was used for irrigation and the house.
There are three distinctly different terraces.
THE DRAGON Terrace.
Known as the dragon terrace it has its own ferrocement dome about 6m diameter which is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Inside this dome is a bbq, a bread oven and one can also have a gas hob. But it is guarded. By a huge dragon whose belly is the bread oven and can keep the dome warm for romantic evenings in the winter or even to live in whilst your home is being built.... In addition solar panels on the roof mean there is power and light and the eye of the dragon and tongue blazes with the touch of a switch. But practically, you can have music etc as there are two batteries/inverter that also pump the water from the river pool.
Outside this dome is the decking and the river pool which has a plug, a sluice and a pump to give water to the dome and an outside tap.
The decking was 8m x 4m with a bona fide parachute to give shade and though 1/3 has been dismantled (due to the idea to put a pre fab house up) this can be put back easily.
This river pool is about 12 ft and 8ft deep and though cold as it is constantly running, it avoids the mosquito trap.
SECOND TERRACE - The Bell-tent terrace
The second terrace is dominated by a huge nut tree and is very cool in the summer. It has it's own drop toilet (ferrocement) and an outside shower which is heated by the sun from a black coiled hose.
This is where the Bell Tent was put in the summer for parties and friends.
The Third Terrace - The Home Garden
This is the terrace where the house is and offers an amazing opportunity to create a beautiful garden as it is big and also the water can be persuaded to come through, should a pond/poo/stream be part of the dream.
In addition you own both hills on each sides which offers privacy. And of course where you can source your own wood.
The surrounding area:
This is situated in Pedrogao Grande which is a pretty town with all the amenities - supermarket, gym/pool, beautiful dam and ancient river (carved in the ice age). But the property itself has a micro climate which is why it is abundant with fruit and nut trees.
Worth seeing if you want to move fast on a project, but make it your own rather than waiting to apply for planning, and has somewhere you can stay whilst the dream emerges (if you like dragons!).
A river runs near the property. A few minutes walk.
This project had a license to build a 4 bedroom house (or 2, 2 bedroom apartments with one en-suite bathroom on each floor facing the gardens, and another toilet/shower room on each floor). If you like what already exists, this is for you.
The owner is happy to talk through any further information and introductions to architect etc.
'This offers someone the very rare opportunity to already have planning permission (reapply), a water source, electricity, a real road, fruit and nut trees, in a beautiful valley. I hope to pass on this project to someone who can now complete it.' Owner.
Electricity: yes it has electricity,
Water: the stream provided water but mains can be orgnised.
Road: Tarmac road right up to the property looked after by the Camara.
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