BLakeney, Norfolk, UK — A couple who won a luxurious £6 million mansion in a charity raffle will finally receive the keys to their new home, after a planning dispute was settled by local authorities. The long-awaited resolution comes after a planning wrangle over unapproved property features was addressed by the North Norfolk District Council.
What Happened
In a dramatic twist, the luxury property, Larkfields, in Blakeney, was originally entered into an Omaze raffle prize draw earlier this year, raising more than £4 million for Comic Relief. However, shortly after the mansion was drawn as the prize, it emerged that certain features of the estate, including a swimming pool, tennis court, garage, and summer house, had been built without the required planning consent.
Following months of deliberation, on Thursday, North Norfolk District Council voted in favor of a retrospective application for the unauthorized developments, finally ending the ongoing dispute. The approval cleared the way for the couple to receive the keys to the mansion they had won.
Who Are the Winners? / Background of the Case
Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, a former Miss Wales finalist from South Wales, was overjoyed when she won the mansion in the Omaze and Comic Relief raffle. At the time of winning, Curtis-Cresswell had been searching for a rental property for her family while living with her in-laws. She expressed her excitement, saying the victory brought her “pure joy.”
Curtis-Cresswell, along with her family, plans to sell the mansion and return to Wales to purchase a new home.
The Planning Controversy
The primary issue surrounding the property was that several additions to the house, including the swimming pool and tennis court, did not have planning consent. The local parish council, represented by Rosemary Thew, opposed the retrospective application, arguing that the unapproved developments violated local planning policies. Thew cited concerns that the building’s size had increased considerably and that the alterations breached conditions set by the council.
Despite these concerns, the committee voted 10-2 in favor of approving the application, allowing the prize mansion to finally be transferred to the winners. Committee members considered the features, such as the swimming pool and summer house, to be in line with local policies, and some emphasized that the fact the additions were constructed without permission was not a deciding factor.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The approval of the application and the ongoing planning dispute sparked significant interest on social media, with many users praising the transparency and charity aspect of the raffle while others raised concerns about the planning violations.
Curtis-Cresswell’s excitement was echoed by many who applauded her win, especially in light of the charitable contributions made by the raffle.
What Happens Next
Omaze, the organization behind the raffle, expressed their delight at the outcome and reassured the public that they would be liaising with the winners to finalize the process. The couple has already received their £250,000 cash prize, and the company is working closely with the winners and the council to ensure the swift transfer of the property.
“Omaze has worked closely with North Norfolk District Council throughout this process to reach this positive conclusion,” said a spokesperson for the company. The mansion is now poised to be handed over to Curtis-Cresswell and her family once the final steps are completed.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
