Billie Faiers channelled her inner Bob the Builder on Tuesday as the Shepherd family visited their new Essex home.
Construction work in now under way on the £1.4m property to transform it into their dream home more than a year after they first bought it.
The couple were embroiled in planning rows with their new neighbours over demolishing the run-down house and replacing it with a five-bedroom property, and this forced several months of delays.
Demolition: Billie Faiers channelled her inner Bob the Builder on Tuesday as the Shepherd family visited their new Essex home
However the family appeared in high spirits as they visited the site alongside the Mummy Diaries camera crew and Billie’s mum Susie Wells.
Greg and their son Arthur, three, appeared in their element as they donned builders hats and personalised green high-vis jackets, while Billie, 31, and Nelly, six, sported the hot pink version.
Billie couldn’t resist having a go in the digger and was filmed tearing down an old wooden shed on the property.
Lengthy process: The couple were embroiled in planning rows with their new neighbours over demolishing the run-down house and replacing it with a five-bedroom property, and this forced several months of delays
The planned result: A rendition of how the luxe property will look once the year-long project is completed has been unveiled
Grand makeover: The home is currently in rundown condition (left), but the couple plan to turn it into a luxury modern abode
Construction work in now under way on the £1.4m property to transform it into their dream home, a year after they first bought it
Project: The family appeared in high spirits as they visited the site alongside the Mummy Diaries camera crew and Billie’s mum Susie Wells
Building work began at the end of January after planning rows with their new neighbours forced several months of delays.
The Dancing On Ice star previously admitted she’s not speaking to the neighbours at her new property in Brentwood, after they opposed the couple’s plans to demolish the original rundown house and replace it with a five-bed palace.
Bridges haven’t been built since they won planning permission in August with 31-year-old Billie saying earlier this year: ‘We’ve not seen anyone. But it’s just not a great start, is it?’
Casually-clad: The former TOWIE star cut a casual figure in a black jumpsuit and navy padded jacket, while Nelly looked adorable in a cream ensemble and personalised pink jacket
In progress: Windows and part of the roof had already been removed from the property
Extension renovations: Builders could be see tearing off tiles from the roof
Plenty to do: According to the planning application, all five bedrooms will be on the first floor with the en-suite master bedroom having a huge dressing room. Three of the other en-suite bedrooms will have walk-in wardrobes
Modern additions: Greg, 35, has been allowed to add a ‘man cave’, converting the original garage into a gym and games room, and there will be a play room for their two children Nelly, six, and Arthur, three
No stone left unturned: They’re also adding a two-storey side extension, single extensions to the front and rear, and completely re-landscaping the outside space
She continued of the home, which was constructed in the 1920s: ‘The house is so old, whoever was going to buy it was going to have to renovate.
‘There’s only one neighbour to the side of us and he had a lot of reasons as to why he didn’t want us to go ahead, but it was getting a bit silly in the end.
‘It’s been a very long journey already and it’s about to get even more pressurised once the builders start work.’
They bought the four-bedroom property for £1.4 million a year ago with the hopes of constructing their own dream home.
Like father, like son: Greg and their son Arthur, three, appeared in their element as they donned builders hats and personalised green high-vis jackets
Dream home: Billie was seen talking to the camera with her beaming daughter Nelly, six
Sweet: Arthur looked adorable in his builder’s hat and green jacket
According to the planning application, all five bedrooms will be on the first floor with the en-suite master bedroom having a huge dressing room. Three of the other en-suite bedrooms will have walk-in wardrobes.
Greg, 35, has been allowed to add a ‘man cave’, converting the original garage into a gym and games room, and there will be a play room for their two children.
They’re also adding a two-storey side extension, single extensions to the front and rear, and completely re-landscaping the outside space.
Thrilled: It comes after Billie previously told MailOnline of her delight at being able to start work on their abode, which they purchased in January of last year
Can’t wait: She said: ‘We’re so pleased and finally got there in the end. They’ve estimated it’ll take a year to complete the renovations, which is very long time but we all know how quick time goes nowadays’
Plans: ‘We’re living in our current home in the moment and will stay here until the work is done,’ she said
Greg has excitedly announced that work was to begin, posting on his Instagram this month: ‘So finally next week after a year trying to get planning permission. Works will begin! Let’s do this! #allthegearnoidea #shepthebuilder.’
It comes after Billie previously told MailOnline of her delight at being able to start work on their abode, which they purchased in January of last year.
She said: ‘We’re so pleased and finally got there in the end. They’ve estimated it’ll take a year to complete the renovations, which is very long time but we all know how quick time goes nowadays.
‘We’re living in our current home in the moment and will stay here until the work is done.’
The TV stars will demolish the existing garage and conservatory to build a two-storey side extension and a single-storey rear extension.
The abode will also be complete with an in-and-out driveway along with a single-storey front extension and landscape work.
Say cheese! The family smiled for a photo to mark the milestone
It had been reported that Greg and Billie finally received official permission from Brentwood Borough Council to convert their property into a five-bedroom luxury family home after making a number of changes and compromises.
The official notice stated that ‘in pursuance of the powers conferred on them’ the couple would be permitted to carry out specific work.
According to The Sun, this would allow them to demolish the existing garage to build a two-storey side extension.
Additionally, they would be able to demolish the existing conservatory in order to build a single-storey rear extension.
Great news: The Mummy Diaries stars had been battling with neighbours for months over their renovations plans. However, after reducing the building by a matter of centimetres, renovations were given the green light
The luxury mansion would also be complete with an in-and-out driveway along with a single-storey front extension and landscape work.
The Mummy Diaries stars had been battling with neighbours for months over their renovations plans. However, after reducing the building by a matter of centimetres, renovations were given the green light.
Among the changes that were in the revised plan were to make the height of the planned extension 50 centimetres lower and to ensure their home is further from their neighbours.
In their latest submission, Billie and Greg are quoted as saying: ‘The planning officer confirmed that these now overcome the reasons for refusal on the original application. They therefore recommended that a revised application be submitted.’
MailOnline contacted a representative for Billie Faiers for comment at the time.
In a previous rejection response from the council officer’s report it was written of the potential house: ‘It would be the biggest house on the street and the increase in size from the original home would not be acceptable.’
The reports also had concerns about whether the home would be sympathetic to the local area.
Now: Billie previously shared a collection of snaps to the couple’s property renovation Instagram account called ‘homewiththesheps’ (current kitchen pictured)
Details: Their vision includes white cabinets, marble counters and gold handles, as well as marble counter tops with gold taps
The decision notice stated: ‘The proposed extensions when combined would create a development which is excessive in terms of bulk, size, massing, roof design and siting, resulting in overly dominant additions to the existing dwelling and a substantial building out of character and appearance within its context.
‘It would unacceptably reduce the spatial quality between properties which is characteristic of the area, to the detriment of local visual amenity.’
It’s been claimed the previous owners were granted permission to build two houses on the land, yet still, the plans for one large home were initially turned down.
The neighbours had expressed concern that the property would be too close to theirs and affect their privacy.
Billie previously admitted that the interior of the sprawling house is ‘old and dated’ and estimated that it will take the pair around a year to completely renovate it.
