Mysterious Pilley Bailey home Envy Cottage will get a new owner as it is offered to the market for the first time

FOR over 50 years it has been the talk of the village – if not a corner of the New Forest.

Started as a project in the early ’70s by a “local character”, Envy Cottage in the village of Pilley Bailey, has been something of an enigma ever since.

It has not been lived in for over half a century, in fact the cottage – known for its “eyebrow” upstairs windows – has never been completed. Standing somewhat forlornly looking out across the beautiful woodland, it has attracted attention from villagers and visitors alike.

Now it’s up for sale by local estate agents Hayward Fox.

Clive Tizzard, from the agency, said a local man intended for the building to be his dream home when he started it in the ’70s.

Planning permission was originally submitted in 1968 and approval for the current house was granted in 1970. Further planning permission was approved in 1993 for an attached garage.

Both were constructed, but not completed or signed off.

As the years ran into decades failing health meant work stopped on it altogether around 2000.

It has now been offered to the market by his family through estage agency Hayward Fox.

Clive Tizzard from the agency said: “It has always been the talk of the village and is also one of the most talked about properties in the South of the Forest. It still requires modernisation and refurbishment, together with landscaping.

“The property still offers scope to extend subject to the necessary planning permission. But hopefully now someone can complete the project.”

The cottage is described as being in a “stunning location with direct access onto the Forest at the end of small country lane.”

However, it’s believed the property in its current state – without functioning kitchen and bathroom – would not be mortgageable.

Mr Tizzard said: “It offers enormous potential to those willing to complete this most unusual project.

He added: “We can now answer that question asked so many times: ‘Do you know anything about that empty property with the eyebrow windows, located on the forest by the pond?’

“Yes we do and now have the pleasure of selling the property!”

The home has a guide price of £895,000.