Deborah Penn takes a look at a Cinderella of a bungalow on the Channel coast, whose owner has Hollywood connections as well as plans for a Hollywood-style transformation...

A SEASIDE property for sale at Sandgate may be a bit faded round the edges but the location overlooking the English Channel is stunning. On a clear day you can see France.

And owner Sonia Copeland has received planning permission to turn the pig’s ear of a bungalow into a silk purse reflecting, she says, "Hollywood-style luxury".

And if anyone knows about film star requirements it must surely be Sonia, from Canterbury, mother to one of the world’s most famous Hollywood actors, Orlando Bloom.

She said: "He’s the second most sought-after hit on Google after Paris Hilton and before, I think, diabetes."

One of Orlando’s middle names is Blanchard and, Sonia added, it is from this side of the family, a great great grandfather and uncle whose surname was Blanchard, that he inherited his talent for acting.

He was named Orlando, she added, so that it would be unforgettable in any job reference.

Sonia added: "Funnily enough, Orlando means ‘famous throughout the land’."

Like almost any mother, she is extremely proud of her 30-year-old son. She would like to see him settled with a "nice English girl", but added: "I never ever want to be quoted as saying how fantastic he is because I cringe every time I see it!

"But he always seemed to have a very special presence. He went to St Edmunds School and is very much a Canterbury boy. He was very good at acting at school.

"He’s terribly, terribly modest but very down to earth. He’s got a humility which is touching."

Orlando has been to see Sonia’s seaside project. Sonia said: "It was rather funny because the old lady next door came across at the weekend when he was having a look at the place. Orlando gave her a big hug. I told her afterwards that she’d had a hug from Orlando Bloom and she couldn’t believe it!"

Sonia has "put her heart and soul" into getting plans drawn up and approved for the 1966 bungalow in a road called Encombe, after the magnificent house which once stood there. The inside has been ripped out in readiness for the fairytale transformation. And it could have been all systems go but for an unforeseen set of circumstances which led to Sonia, a former journalist, reluctantly putting the property up for sale.

She said: "I thought it would be an ideal weekend home. I was planning to do it in partnership with a friend but he was unable to proceed and I’m too busy to do it on my own as I’ve started writing children’s stories."

South-facing panoramic views over the Channel form the major feature of the three-bedroom bungalow with brick garage. The property has a large steep garden, sloping to the seafront, covered with small trees and shrubs.

Sonia is honest in pointing out that the bungalow is in a slippage area but is happy with the reassurances from engineers and planners that the project is utterly safe to proceed with. She said: "I was quite undaunted by the fact that the site is in the Encombe area.

"It slipped in the 1960s, two years after the house was built. But Shepway District Council have spent EC money shoring up the whole of Sandgate and have introduced lovely walks and children’s playgrounds.

"Anyone who has any doubts about the area should speak to Cyril Gusson, who drew up the plans, or Shepway District Council who would put their minds at rest."

Every minute detail in the plan has been taken into account including replacing the heavy concrete roof tiles with much lighter slate-types to reduce weight. For anyone taking on the project, all the groundwork has been completed.

The planning application is described as involving the provision of new accommodation in the loft space, the replacement of an existing flat roof area with a pitched roof, a small porch at the front and a steeper pitched roof over the rear bedroom.

Sonia wanted to create a "gorgeous view of the sea and sky immediately you open the front door" by taking out a wall in the hall and installing stairs and extending the porch. She added: "That impact will be lovely. I love a good sized hall – it gives a sense of space."

The property has regal historical connections as Queen Victoria used to stay at Encombe House. A beach hut was built for her just below Sonia’s property and the grounds of what is now Serena Cottage, adjoin those of the bungalow.

Standing on the terrace Sonia said: "It’s a fantastic sun trap and it’s very soothing to hear the sound of the sea. It isn’t too difficult to transform this.

"The challenge is to make a very ordinary little bungalow into a very special seaside home.

"Every now and then I come here and I think, ‘God, what a fool I am!’ But my writing has to come first."

FACTFILE

*Bungalow in Encombe, Sandgate

*Guide price: offers in excess of £297,500

*Agent Daniel Sims 01303 269099

The planning permission (Y06/1255/SH) is for a three-room plus bathroom loft extension.

Details include an appraisal by a recognised local civil and structural consultant plus the latch-gate conditions required for Building Regulations at Shepway District Council and buyer’s survey.

The spectacular views of the Channel, overlooking Sandgate beach, would be seen from a large panel double-glazed UPVC window in the lounge, or sliding patio doors opening onto a veranda.

Planning permission includes:

* A staircase with glass panelled banisters rising to the loft extension, with inlaid star ceiling lights and three extra-large Velux windows framing the sky

* A porch opening to a wider hall

* A master bedroom, with a window looking out to sea

* A bathroom with shower and toilet

* A middle room with Velux windows looking out to sea, and a further third room.

* Downstairs planning permission includes:

* An enlarged, modern kitchen

* A new larger conservatory leading from dining area

* A porch and other enhancements

* A pitched roof over the garage.

Sonia has prepared the property for renovation, removing its flooring and wall coverings leaving the back-to-basics state of the building to be viewed.

The house has council tax exemption (ref 12598320) for a 12-month period for renovation work to proceed.

The work was estimated to take about three months to complete at an estimated cost of £35,000 - £50,000.

The existing accommodation features three bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, utility room and lounge/dining room, as well as an entrance hall and cloakroom.