It sounds more science fiction than bricks and mortar, but Britain is to get its first ever floating home after planning permission was granted to a house that rises with flood waters.

The amphibious home – to be set just 10m from the water’s edge – is to be built on an island on the banks of the Thames close to Marlow in Buckinghamshire. It’s considered a major breakthrough for architects and designers who have been trying to find ways to mitigate the risk and damage of water in flood-prone areas.

Diagram showing the amphibious house when the Thames is at a regular height ...

The modern 225 sq ft home, designed by London-based Baca Architects, will rest on fixed foundations but whenever a flood occurs the entire building will rise up in its dock and float, buoyed by the floodwater.

Diagram showing the amphibious house if flood waters rise

While the house will be a modern, highly-insulated, low energy building, including large high-performance windows, the architects have ensured that it is also sympathetic to the Conservation Area in which it is set. It will have pitched roofs and a chimney to complement the irregular roofline of neighbouring homes and an overall footprint that is no larger than the existing property. 

How the amphibious home will look on the Thames

The garden will act as a natural early warning flood system, with terraces set at different levels designed to flood incrementally and alert the occupants well before the water reaches a threatening level.

And it looks good from the inside too

“The planning process obviously took a bit more time than some applications, involving our team in extensive consultations and cooperation with the local authority,” said Richard Coutts, director of Baca Architects. ”From the outset of the design process we sought expert advice from the Environment Agency to determine the most appropriate construction model to mitigate flood risk on the site; and provide a safe dwelling, sympathetic to its setting, and fit for the challenges of the 21st Century.”

As you’d expect, building an amphibious home isn’t for the financially wet – the architects say it currently costs around 20% to 25% more than a similar sized house.

 Watch a CGI of what happens to the home when flooding occurs

Legend has it that the famous scene in Women In Love where Oliver Reed wrestles naked with Alan Bates in front of a roaring fire was actually filmed in Reed’s Surrey home Broome Hall.

Buy a wing of Broome Hall, which once belonged to legendary British actor Oliver Reed

The actor, who died in Malta in 1999 while filming Gladiator, bought the 54-bedroom Grade II listed home in Coldharbour in the 1970s and lavished buckets of money on its renovation – apparently taking any film work offered in order to fund the work on the home, which dates back to 1750, although most of the property is late Victorian.

Reed, who was as famous for his excessive drinking as he was his acting in films like Castaway, The Three Musketeers and Oliver!, wrote in his autobiography: : “As soon as I set eyes on Broome Hall, I fell in love with it and decided to buy it there and then.” As you’d expect, the actor hosted some famous faces at the property over the years too – including actor Steve McQueen and The Who’s Keith Moon.

Reed left Broome Hall in the 1980s and the property was bought by a developer who converted it into apartments, one of which is now for sale.

An apartment is probably slightly understating this home, which is more like a wing of Broome Hall – it’s large at 1969 sq ft, has three bedrooms, a large living room and dining room, while the upstairs breakfast room overlooks a courtyard. The apartment also comes with a separate half an acre paddock with a stable block and double garage.

And even though Reed left Broome Hall more than two decades ago, the new owners will probably come across stories of the actor’s local exploits. For instance, The Telegraph reported that Reed was apparently banned from his Coldharbour local after coming down the chimney naked shouting: “Ho Ho Ho I’m Santa Claus”.

The Broome Hall home is for sale for £795,000 through Hamptons International.

Ever wondered why you didn’t end up an actor, musician or talented footballer. Part of the reason might be connected to the home you grew up in, or more precisely, where it was situated. 

New research by FindaProperty.com looked at where Britain’s top celebrities were raised and found certain areas are hotspots for breeding celebrity success, with some specific regions producing some very particular talent.

Ever wondered why you're not David Beckham or Cheryl Cole? It might come down to the house you grew up in, or at least your home address, according to FindaProperty.com's new celebrity hotspot map

Those who grew up in homes in London are 80% more likely to find fame than people born anywhere else. Specifically, Hammersmith in West London is a hotspot for film stars, with Hollywood stars Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Grant all growing up in the area. Fans of soap operas could do worse than move to a home in Bury in Greater Manchester, which has produced a string of actors currently starring in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

Manchester also has a strong tradition of producing rock bands, with Oasis (Burnage), Joy Division (Salford), Elbow (Bury), The Smiths (Manchester) and the recently reunited Stone Roses just a few of the bands providing inspiration for aspiring rock stars across the city.

When it comes to current chart music, North London is the UK’s centre with Adele, Eliza Doolittle and X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos all hailing from the area. North London is also a good place to look for future X Factor winners, with Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke both spending their early lives in homes in Islington.