A millionaire company director who was terrorised with his wife and family in a harrowing robbery ordeal has embarked on building the ultimate "safe house".
Steve O'Connor, a director of the Eddie Stobart haulage empire, was left fearing for his life when four masked men burst into his home in March this year and threatened to kill him and his family.
His wife Clare O'Connor, 35, was trussed-up along with the couple's four-year-old son as the thugs ransacked his mansion in Frodsham, Cheshire, stealing valuables worth more than
£30,000.
Now, it has emerged, Mr O'Connor has responded to the ordeal by commissioning a bizarre family home that will be almost entirely underground - the ultimate "panic room".
It is being built in a huge cavern excavated in the side of Helsby Hill, a Cheshire beauty spot three miles from the scene of the burglary, and most of the property will be concealed underground.
Mr O'Connor, who is also Chairman of the Widnes Vikings Rugby League club, has declared that he and his family are "looking forward" to moving into the property early next year.
The 43-year-old said: "We're really looking forward to it. We couldn't be more excited. In the past we have bought properties and fitted them out.
"We live in a Victorian property at the moment, which is very contemporary inside, but we thought at some point we would like to build something right from the beginning.
"We spent a long time looking around Frodsham at various properties and we were very lucky when that the site came up. The views there are amazing, it's magical. We're delighted."
Innovative features of the Thunderbirds-style home include windows that create no glare, inside or out, a light tower which provides natural light to every room and a geo thermal heating system to help keep the temperature constant throughout the building without using any energy.
Locals have been bemused at the work carried out at the site.
Added Mr O'Connor: "It's a unique building and several elements have never been done before. It won't appeal to everybody but I think some people will be fascinated by it.
"I'm pleased people have engaged with it and I hope by sharing the vision it will allay everybody's fears that it was going to be a recycling complex, a water treatment centre or even a nuclear power plant."
Neighbour Charles Wilmot said: "It's a big house in a big hole. I don't know if it would take away from the area, but if I could have one I would."
Tori, Helsby around 2 years, 3 months ago