The winner of a £6 million mansion on the scenic North Norfolk coast is finally set to move in, following a months-long dispute over planning permissions that had left the property in limbo. On October 16, 2025, North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) voted to grant retrospective approval for a host of unauthorized additions to the Larkfields estate in Blakeney, ending a saga that had captured local and national attention.
Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, a former Miss Wales finalist from South Wales, had won the sprawling three-bedroom property in Omaze’s biggest ever prize draw, an event that raised over £4 million for Comic Relief and was endorsed by celebrities and the BBC. But her dream home quickly became a source of frustration when it emerged that several features—among them a swimming pool, tennis court, large garage, and summer house—had been built without the proper planning consent.
The issue surfaced after an anonymous tip-off led to an investigation by local authorities, revealing that the actual construction of Larkfields diverged from the plans originally approved by the council. Omaze, the entertainment company behind the prize draw, had purchased the property from its original owners, Michael and Julia Goff, directors of Goff Petroleum, after the home was completed. When the discrepancies were discovered, Omaze was forced to apply for retrospective permission to keep the unapproved features—putting the transfer of the keys to Curtis-Cresswell on hold.
According to BBC News, the unauthorized additions included a four-bay garage, an eastern wing extension, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and several outbuildings. While planning officers noted that the swimming pool and summer house might have qualified under permitted development rights, the tennis court and garage certainly required explicit permission.
The matter came to a head at a council meeting this week, where emotions ran high and the stakes were clear. Blakeney Parish Council, led by chair Rosemary Thew, argued passionately for the application to be rejected. Thew stated the council should “send a clear message that planning processes must be adhered to,” warning that approval would embolden rogue developers to flout local regulations. She emphasized that the application breached original planning conditions, particularly those prohibiting enlargement or alteration of the building. “The size of Larkfields has increased considerably,” Thew said, urging the committee to reject the application and prevent similar situations in the future.
Despite these concerns, the majority of NNDC’s planning committee took a different view. Conservative councillor Angie Fitch-Tillett acknowledged the nerves among her colleagues but pointed out that the additions did not intrude on the landscape or violate local planning policies. “I understand the concerns, but it does not intrude on the landscape,” Fitch-Tillett said. “I think we are all very nervous about this one, but we are here to make a decision. We have the officer’s advice and they appear to have covered every angle, but I will propose that this is accepted.”
Committee chair Paul Heinrich echoed this sentiment, stating, “There are no policy reasons why this should be rejected. The fact it’s retrospective is irrelevant.” After a robust debate, the committee voted 10 to 2 in favor of granting the retrospective permission, effectively clearing the final hurdle for Curtis-Cresswell to take ownership of her prize.
For Curtis-Cresswell, the council’s decision brings a sense of closure and relief. She had been searching for a rental property for her family while staying with her in-laws, all the while uncertain if she would ever be able to move into the mansion she had won. Describing her reaction to winning Larkfields, Curtis-Cresswell said she felt “pure joy.” Yet, the planning wrangle meant she could not take possession, as Omaze had made clear it would not hand over the keys until all legal issues were resolved.
With the council’s approval now in hand, Omaze expressed delight at the outcome and confirmed it would finalize conveyancing and arrange the transfer of the property to Curtis-Cresswell “as soon as possible.” The company emphasized it had worked closely with North Norfolk District Council throughout the process to ensure a positive resolution. “Omaze has worked closely with North Norfolk District Council throughout this process to reach this positive conclusion,” the company said in a statement, adding that Curtis-Cresswell had already received her £250,000 cash prize as part of the overall winnings.
The story has stirred debate far beyond the picturesque lanes of Blakeney. Supporters of the council’s decision argue that the additions to Larkfields do not negatively impact the landscape or local community, and that the retrospective application process exists precisely for such situations. As committee chair Heinrich put it, the fact that the work was done before permission was granted does not, in itself, constitute grounds for refusal if the development meets all relevant policy standards.
Yet, the case has also exposed broader tensions around planning enforcement and the pressures facing rural communities. The parish council’s objections centered on the need to uphold conservation standards, control the scale of new developments, and minimize light pollution—issues that resonate in many parts of England where historic character and natural beauty are prized. “It breaches the original conditions of the authority,” Thew told the committee, warning that approval could set a precedent for others to bypass proper procedures.
For Curtis-Cresswell, however, the future is now much clearer. She has indicated she plans to sell Larkfields and use the proceeds to buy a house in Wales, bringing her family’s journey full circle. The prize draw itself has already made a significant impact, raising over £4 million for Comic Relief and shining a light on the sometimes complicated intersection of charity, property, and planning law.
As the dust settles on the planning dispute, the Larkfields saga serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing individual dreams, community values, and the rule of law. For one family, at least, the wait is finally over—and the keys to a new chapter are at last within reach.
