Vicky Curtis-Cresswell won the property in March but then a planning dispute broke out with the local council
The house in Norfolk won by Victoria Curtis-Cresswell in the Omaze Million Pound House Draw(Image: Omaze)
A former Miss Wales finalist who won a £6m Norfolk coastal home can finally claim her prize after councillors approved a series of planning breaches at the property. Vicky Curtis-Cresswell had been unable to take ownership of the Larkfields property in Blakeney, which she won in an Omaze competition, due to an ongoing planning dispute.
An anonymous tip-off led to an investigation into the three-bedroom home, which was discovered to have been built differently from the approved plans. This meant that Omaze had to apply for retrospective permission to keep a four-bay garage, an eastern wing extension, a swimming pool, tennis court and other outbuildings.
Members of North Norfolk District Council’s (NNDC) planning committee met this week to decide whether to grant Omaze permission for the changes.
Blakeney Parish Council urged NNDC to reject the application, arguing it would send a message to rogue developers that planning processes “must be followed”.
“We hope you will reject this application so that others do not follow this unfortunate example,” said a representative for the parish council. However, NNDC councillors took a different view. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here
Conservative councillor Angie Fitch-Tillet admitted that councillors were apprehensive about deciding on the application.
However, since the property did not encroach upon the surrounding countryside, she recommended that councillors give their backing to the alterations.
Her fellow members were in agreement and during the voting process, the retrospective planning application received approval.
The property – which Omaze did not construct – was initially owned and developed by Michael Goff and his wife Julia, who serves as director of Goff Petroleum. The pair subsequently sold the dwelling to Omaze following its completion.
The NNDC’s ruling will bring enormous relief to competition winner Vicky. She had been refused access to the £6m residence since winning it in March this year, owing to the planning dispute.
She won the house in what was billed as Omaze’s biggest ever prize draw, held to raise money for Comic Relief.
The competition had gained endorsement from celebrities and the BBC but during the raffle, it was discovered that the floor plans published in marketing materials were different to the plans approved by NNDC.
Omaze initially said it was confident that all proper procedures had been followed and that its consultants had carried out a “thorough due diligence exercise”. However, council representatives confirmed that multiple planning violations had occurred.
After this revelation, Vicky had been prevented from taking possession of her new residence, as Omaze stated it would not transfer ownership until it had sorted out the property’s issues.
She had previously indicated she would consider putting the house on the market, instead of relocating to Norfolk from south Wales.
Following the verdict, Paul Heinrich, chairman of the development committee, stated: “The decision over this retrospective planning application is based on a detailed investigation by our planning department and their expert advice about the correct interpretation of the regulations.
“This decision was taken by members after very careful consideration of the officers’ report and presentation, and having heard matters raised at today’s meeting, reaching their conclusion by carefully weighing up the issues raised by the council’s planning officers.”
A representative for Omaze expressed said: “Omaze is delighted that the retrospective planning application has now been approved.
“Omaze will continue to liaise with the winner, who has already received their £250,000 cash prize, to finalise conveyancing and arrange the transfer of the property as soon as possible.
“Omaze has worked diligently with North Norfolk District Council throughout this process to reach this positive conclusion. As with all its properties, Omaze takes every appropriate measure to ensure every home is transferred to winners with good and marketable title.”