Omaze £6m mansion faces fresh planning row setback

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so the proverb goes. And for Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, who felt “pure joy” when winning a £6m mansion in Blakeney in Norfolk as part of a raffle draw for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, the well-known saying must be ringing home right now.

- ALEX ROSS

Despite winning the seven-bedroom house, called Larkfields, almost six months ago, the 38-year-old Miss Wales finalist has still not received the keys - and this month the wait, which centres on a planning dispute on the property, took a fresh setback after the local parish council weighed in.

The planning row began when North Norfolk District Council received an anonymous tip-off, claiming that the mansion, which was publicised on television as part of Comic Relief in March, was in breach of planning rules after being built in 2020.

Approval had been given for the house on three acres of land, but it was alleged that it did not include permission for a swimming pool, tennis court, summerhouse, garage and extension to a utility room.