Stunning pictures show the breathtaking transformation of a derelict youth centre into a lavish £1.2 million house.

The dilapidated building in South Road was bought by film director and artist Paul Joyce in 2015 for £400,000.

Despite being told by council planners that the Grade II-listed building was unsalvageable, Paul had a vision for South House and restored it to its original Georgian splendour, transforming it into an awe-inspiring home.

Scroll down for pictures of South House today.

The 'before' pictures of South House

But despite his mission to create a dream home, and spending £300,000 in the process, Paul has decided that it is too big for him and it’s time to move on.

“I worried about what would happen to the building if I didn’t take it on,” he said.

“It could have been taken on by a developer and turned into lots of flats. That wouldn’t have been good for the Faversham community.

“Certain planning officers said that the building was unsalvageable and that really got up my nose and I wanted to prove them wrong.

“I believe I have done right by this house, but it is now time to move on and I really hope that someone else, or even better, a family, can now enjoy the house, just like I have.

“It would suit a young Damien Hirst or Tracey Emin.

“I am sad to leave, but I would like to stay in Faversham. I have really embraced the community since moving here, but sometimes I feel like the community hasn’t really embraced me, which is a shame.”

South House how it is today

The building, which dates back to 1790, has appeared on Homes Under the Hammer twice and will return in a third and final episode in 2017 – the first time the programme has ever featured a property three times.

Paul, who has worked alongside the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Dennis Hopper, Robert Redford and Johnny Cash, bought the property at auction in February 2015.

He kept traces of the youth club in every room, such as a basketball hoop in what was once a sports hall and has since became Paul’s art studio.

He moved from Dulwich in London and has two sons and a granddaughter.