A Witham businessman is building one of the largest houses in Essex.

Spread over 22,000 square feet, and surrounded by 25 acres of landscaped gardens, work has now started on High Oaks at Creephedge Lane, East Hanningfield, and when it is completed the house will be worth more than £4 million.

Big plans - businessman Michael Kirkham, who wants to build his very own dream home. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

Michael Kirkham, 37, owner of the Madison Heights entertainment complex in Maldon and Witham Snooker Bowl, has no interest in selling it as he intends to live in the luxurious abode with his family.

The home, on land which has been owned by the Kirkhams for more than 40 years, is 110 metres long and will boast all the fixtures and fittings one would expect from such a 'des-res' including a pool and gym, seven en-suite bedrooms, study and library, seven garages and a hall which is bigger than most homes.

It even comes complete with its own self-contained house as an annexe to the property.

The gardens will also take some maintaining.

With the property being adjacent to Hyde Hall, no effort is being spared to make sure they are as ornate as the house itself with a series of formal gardens sprinkled with an orangery, a lake, ponds, woodland copses and meadows.

Mr Kirkham said: "Ever since we were forced to close the pig farm on the land in 1999 when the industry declined I have wanted to build a house there. Because of the strict planning guidelines, to get permission the house has to be an exceptional and outstanding property and so you have to build such a big home.

"There are few companies capable of successfully working on such a project and I am indebted to the help of Andrew Pipe Associates for the work they did in getting planning permission."

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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