After more than a year of frustrating delays, the winner of a £6 million Omaze luxury home is finally preparing to move into her prize property. The extensive hold-up stemmed from complex planning permission problems that required retrospective approval from local authorities.
Planning Controversy Delays Dream Home Handover
Former Miss Wales finalist Vicky Curtis-Cresswell originally won the magnificent three-bedroom mansion in Blakeney, Norfolk, back in March last year. The 39-year-old had purchased one of the £10 tickets for the high-profile prize draw, which was promoted in partnership with Comic Relief and featured celebrity backing from Davina McCall and Rylan Clark.
The initial plan to unveil Curtis-Cresswell as the winner during live BBC coverage was abruptly cancelled when a complaint revealed significant planning violations at the property. Investigations discovered that several luxury features including a swimming pool, tennis court, four-bay garage, and summer house had been constructed without proper planning consent.
Retrospective Approval Granted on Technicality
Omaze, the for-profit company that organizes such prize draws, was forced to apply for retrospective planning permission from North Norfolk District Council. The application was eventually approved in October, but only on a technicality after planning officers advised council members that the disputed areas would have been permitted under current planning regulations.
"We are pleased to confirm that all remaining works at the Blakeney property have been completed and the home is ready for handover," stated an Omaze spokesman. "Omaze appreciates that the process has taken time given the initial planning-related matters initiated by third parties that have been fully resolved and looks forward to completing the handover shortly."
Winner Endures 'Extremely Stressful' Waiting Period
Despite the October approval, Curtis-Cresswell faced an additional six-month delay while the conveyancing process was finalized. Sources close to the winner revealed to the BBC that she had experienced an "extremely stressful time" throughout the legal wrangle. The situation was compounded by "constant questioning for updates from friends, family and strangers" about when she would finally take possession of her £6 million prize.
The mansion, named Larkfields and designed in the exclusive Hamptons style of Long Island, includes 5,000 square feet of living space with £165,000 worth of furnishings. The property also features access to a secluded pontoon and came with a £250,000 cash prize. Letting agents estimate the luxurious home could command rental prices of approximately £5,500 per month.
Council Investigation and Controversial Vote
North Norfolk District Council launched its investigation in February last year, just one month before Red Nose Day, after an observant member of the public raised concerns about potential planning violations. The property had been originally constructed in 2020.
The council ultimately determined that the development had "not been completed in accordance with the approved plans" following site visits by officers. The unapproved features faced potential demolition until the retrospective application was considered.
During a crucial planning meeting, ten district councillors voted in favor of granting permission based on officer recommendations, while two opposed the application and one abstained. Councillor Rory Macdonald, who voted against, expressed concern that the decision "sets a precedent that others will use later on."
Local Opposition and Environmental Concerns
The planning controversy attracted significant local opposition in the seaside village, which sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty subject to strict development controls. Blakeney Parish Council formally objected to the disputed property features, arguing they breached planning policies designed to "safeguard the character of the countryside."
One neighbor submitted a formal objection stating that "too many developers take a very cavalier attitude to planning permissions and systematically rely on retrospectives to get their own way." During the planning meeting, Councillor Victoria Holliday, who abstained from voting, complained that the violations "all add to a greater adverse impact on the landscape that is permitted."
Charitable Contributions and Future Plans
Omaze, which was founded in the United States, purchases luxury properties for prize draws while donating at least 17 percent of proceeds to charitable causes. The Larkfields property draw raised more than £4.1 million for Comic Relief, demonstrating the significant charitable impact of such initiatives.
Curtis-Cresswell, who was living with her husband Dale and young daughter at her in-laws' three-bedroom house in Wales when she won, had previously revealed her intention to sell the Norfolk mansion. However, the planning breaches delayed these plans and initially threatened to affect the property's market value.
Reflecting on her extraordinary win last year, the 2008 Miss Wales entrant said: "It's crazy. One week, we're worrying about our old car breaking down, the next thing we've got a £6 million house." The Omaze spokesman confirmed that Curtis-Cresswell "has already received her £250,000 cash prize and has been regularly updated and supported throughout the process."
Once she formally takes possession, Curtis-Cresswell will become the official owner of a multi-million-pound property that she secured for just £10, finally concluding a saga that has stretched over fourteen months since her initial victory was announced.
