Omaze dream house winner and former Miss Wales finalist still hasn't had keys to £6m property
Omaze dream house winner and former Miss Wales finalist still hasn't had keys to £6m property
The property is bogged down in a planning row which might even mean it has to be altered before it can be passed on to Vicky Curtis-Cresswell
Omaze Million Pound House Norfolk winner Victoria Curtis-Cresswell with husband Dale
(Image: Mark Field Photography / Omaze )
A former Miss Wales finalist who won a £6m Norfolk coastal home is still waiting to receive the keys due to unresolved planning breaches. Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, 38, had never owned her own home and was living with her family until she won the spectacular property.
Vicky stated that winning the luxury Blakeney property in an Omaze competition three months ago had "changed her life forever". Before she won the huge prize, she lived with her husband Dale, 41, and their young daughter at her in-law's three-bedroom house in Wales, as the family were in the process of house hunting for a rental property.
However, her intention to sell the multi-million pound mansion is currently on hold after an investigation revealed that the Larkfields property was constructed differently from the approved plans.
When the win was announced, Vicky said she hoped to sell the mansion to "buy another amazing house somewhere in Wales."
The house in Norfolk won by Victoria Curtis-Cresswell in the Omaze Million Pound House Draw
(Image: Omaze )
Omaze, a company that purchases luxury properties as competition prizes to raise funds for charity, has pledged to rectify a series of planning breaches and cover any associated costs before transferring ownership.
Article continues below
However, it may be a while before the 38-year-old from south Wales can fully enjoy her windfall, as Omaze could be embroiled in a protracted planning dispute with North Norfolk District Council.
The company is in the process of submitting a retrospective planning application, aiming to secure permission for any construction work that lacked prior approval.
Details regarding the issues uncovered during the council's investigation have not yet been publicly disclosed. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here
However, an examination of planning documents and photographs of the property suggests that it has been built larger than permitted.
Other potential planning infringements include a tennis court and swimming pool, which seemingly lack the required approvals.
A swimming pool at the property
Omaze has stated that the planning discrepancies were not disclosed during the evaluations and inspections carried out prior to its purchase.
A spokesperson for Omaze said: "Omaze continues to work with North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) in relation to recommendations made regarding the property in Norfolk.
"Omaze has submitted a pre-application to the council and is submitting a retrospective planning application.
"Omaze will transfer ownership of the property to the winner once all planning matters are resolved."
In response, NNDC proposed a list of measures for Omaze to address the issues at hand.
A representative for NNDC remarked: "At present we are waiting for an application to be submitted by the owners to try and regularise the current breaches of planning control.
"We are expecting an application to be submitted by the end of this month."
However, there is no guarantee Omaze will be granted retrospective permission for the breaches.
The application could be refused, which might result in the council taking enforcement action against Omaze to force it to make changes.
Such a scenario would mirror the case of Arcady – the luxurious Cley residence built by West End producer Adam Speigel, who was ordered to reconstruct his property following a protracted planning row over deviations from the original design.
The fiasco has potentially cost him millions of pounds to rectify the issues.
Throughout the investigation, Omaze has consistently reassured the public that any prize winner would not be burdened with any potential costs arising from the planning discrepancies.
Larkfields, a grand three-bedroom home modelled after the opulent mansions in New York's exclusive Hamptons area, was touted as Omaze's largest ever prize draw.
The competition raised millions of pounds for Comic Relief.
However, the discovery of planning violations cast a shadow over the high-profile contest, which was organised for Red Nose Day. Omaze initially planned to announce the winner live on BBC One, but this plan was scrapped following the revelations about the planning breaches.
Article continues below
Founded in the US, the company pledges at least 17% of the funds raised through its prize draws will go to charities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
We live in a UK seaside resort that Butlin's abandoned before Hollywood moved in – it's a real-life paradise
Plus, the where to find Gavin and Stacey filming locations SEA ME NOW We live in a UK seaside resort that Butlin's abandoned before Hollywood moved in – it's a real-life paradise Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BARRY Island is the Welsh seaside resort we all know and love thanks to the hit series, Gavin and Stacey. But it's so much more than just a filming location to the locals whose exclusive homes, built on a headland at the resort made famous by the BBC show, offer panoramic sea views and spectacular sunrises. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Barry Island is one of the most recognisable spots in Wales Credit: Alamy 13 The seaside resort used to be home to an enormous Butlins resort Credit: Wales News Service On a clear day, residents living at Nell's Point on Barry Island in south Wales have uninterrupted views reaching as far as Somerset. Some have rear gardens joining a grassy clifftop with a private pathway down to the sandy beach below. There are incredible views of the coastline, and some people have seen dolphins and porpoises from Nell's Point. Sightings are rare, but seals are regularly spotted in the area. The smart, executive-style homes on the Nell's Point estate are a world away from the rows of chalets that were put up at the same spot 60 years ago by William 'Billy' Butlin when he bought the site and turned it into one of his famous Butlin's Holiday Camps. In those days, it was predominantly coal miners and their families trudging up and down the pathway as they revelled in their annual summer holiday leave from their jobs in the long since-closed South Wales collieries. Now houses sit on the former Butlin's site, with some that have been turned into holiday homes rented out by individuals. Some locals still remember the resort's heyday when thousands of excited holidaymakers made the journey to the island to stay in the more than 800 chalets at the attraction. At its peak in 1934, 400,000 people visited during the August bank holiday weekend. Like any other Butlin's resort there was a plethora of activities to choose from, like paddling in the heated swimming pools. The real life of Barry Island made famous by BBC's TV Series Gavin and Stacey 13 Mark described Barry as 'paradise' to holiday-goers Credit: Nigel Iskander 13 Butlin's used to be one of the busiest places on Barry Island Credit: WalesOnline/Media Wales Onsite, there was also funfair, cable car, miniature railway, restaurants, bars, and a fish and chip shop. Mark Anthony, now 68, was a young boy when Butlin's opened and shared his memories of those booming summer months every year. Mark, who runs a cafe and gift shop on the nearby seafront with his wife, Lisa, 60, said: 'Barry was bustling with people, many of them families who'd come down from the coal mining valleys for a well-earned summer holiday." Mark continued: 'They loved coming here because there was so much to do, especially at Butlin's. There were the famous Butlin's Redcoats, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a ballroom, a boating lake, tennis courts and an amusement arcade. It was like paradise. 'People used to come down here and spend a few hours crammed on the beach like sardines. "Those that couldn't get a chalet at Butlin's up there used to stay in one of the numerous local boarding houses and B&Bs. Hardly anyone went abroad in those days because there was so much to do here. 'It's sad that nowadays so many people seem to want to spend their holidays overseas because, I guess, it's so cheap to get there and the sunshine is almost guaranteed. 'Even so, Barry has a lot to offer still. There are lots of lovely places to go out for a drink or a nice meal and there's the funfair and beautiful beaches which are just as good as anywhere in the world. 'And there are several beautiful bays that are safe to swim in. I absolutely love living here. Barry Island should still be at the top of everyone's list of holiday destinations." 13 Barry Island has become more popular again thanks to Gavin & Stacey Credit: Tom Jackson/BBC Popular beach-side cafes in Barry Island include Marco's Cafe which of course is famous for its appearance on Gavin and Stacey - and there's even a mural on the side dedicated to the TV show. On the front is also Bay 5 Coffee House which serves savoury snacks and sweet treats and 'pancake stacks' according to a Tripadvisor review. As for the top restaurants, the most highly-rated on Tripadvisor is Paletta Pizzeria which lots of customers say to book early as it gets very busy. It was also Barry's first wood-fired Pizzeria, serving up tasty pizzas, pasta dishes and gnocchi. As for ice cream shops, they are around most corners with John's Cafe being the most highly-rated. The classic sweet treats shop also serves candy floss, a stick of rock and of course, ice cream too. Barry Island has five notable beaches with Whitmore Bay being the most popular, it's known for its golden sand and sits directly in front of the pleasure park. Whitmore Bay is also the spot where the Shipmans and the Wests go for their beach day in Gavin and Stacey in series three. Jackson's Bay is a more secluded section of the coastline and is more popular with locals because it's lesser-known. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "This is a beautiful safe enclosed sandy beach away from the fairground and bustle of the main beach of Barry Island. " Another added: "What a nice walk and lovely scenery. A nice bay, small and hardly anybody there." Cold Knap Beach, which has pebbles instead of sand, is also a quieter spot than Whitmore Bay. 13 Whitmore Bay on Barry Island is the most well-known and popular beach Credit: Alamy Helen, a grandmother strolling along the seafront with one of her grandsons, agreed: 'Barry is still a fantastic place to come for a holiday. Us locals are incredibly friendly and the fairground is great fun, whatever the weather. 'In fact, I prefer it now to when we had Butlin's here. Sure, the holidaymakers brought in money, but it was mostly spent at the holiday camp, not in the rest of Barry. 'In those days, it was mainly miners coming here, but nowadays people come for the Gavin and Stacey experience and that means they go everywhere on the island. "It's created plenty of trade for the whole of Barry and as a result, the place has been transformed. It's no longer just a cheapo holiday destination.' There are plenty of locations to spot during a visit to Barry, Trinity Street is home to the homes of Gwen, Uncle Bryn, and Doris - now belonging to Gavin and Stacey. On Barry Island itself there's the famous Marco's Cafe and the Arcade where Nessa worked the slots. We've listed a few more foilming locations at the bottom of the article. Over the years, Barry Island has become increasingly popular and according to the BBC, the home belonging to Gwen, which really belongs to a lady called Glenda Kenyon has had nearly 30,000 visitors. Gavin and Stacey fans coming from as far away as Australia, Hawaii and India. Visitors often take pictures in front of her house and when Glenda opens it up, have a tour too. As for shopping on Barry Island, there's been a new development called Goodsheds. The site is home to independent shops which are in repurposed shipping containers in an area called the Shipyard - there you'll find craft beers, records, home furnishings and fashion stores. Nearby there's The Tracks, where railway carriages have been repurposed, and there's even a cinema. The Wales Coast Path runs right around the coastline at Barry. It's about 4 miles along the coastline to Rhoose Point, the most southerly spot in Wales which offer incredible views over the coast. 13 The Pleasure Park is still a hit with tourists and locals alike Credit: Alamy Barry Island Pleasure Park first opened in 1897 and is still going strong down on the seafront. The most recognisable attraction is the giant Ferris wheel, but they also have three rollercoasters, a log flume and spooky ghost train. The family-owned business' biggest ride is Aerospace. It's a giant, 32-seater space machine that swings riders up and down, reaching heights of 214 feet and speeds of up to 75mph. During the summer months when Barry is bustling with visitors, the amusement park gets 400,000 ride goers. 13 There was lots to do at Butlin's like swimming in the pools Credit: WalesOnline/Media Wales 13 Coach driver Barry is more than happy to visit the Welsh coast Credit: Nigel Iskander Coach driver Barry Elms, 60, from Birmingham, was having a rest on the seafront when we caught up with him. 'I've just dropped 50 holidaymakers off and this is just what I need - fresh sea air and magnificent views,' he said. 'The lot I've just brought here from Brum have come for Gavin and Stacey. I think that show is what has made Barry Island famous again." Solicitor Jay Thomas, 42, was in Barry enjoying a day at the seaside. He said: 'It is just a beautiful spot to come to. It's very clean and the people are super-friendly. I've driven down from Solihull in the West Midlands and it has been well worth the time spent getting down here. 'You can get here and back home in a day, so it's perfect." I didn't know until today that there used to be a Butlin's here, but to be honest there still seems plenty to do." Local Tony Rosser, 79, remembers the Butlin's era but says he prefers the resort as it is today. He said: 'As a boy, we never really came to the sea front here in summer because it was so busy. We only used to come here in the winter, when it was a bit quieter and have lovely long walks. 'The local traders liked having Butlin's here, for sure, because they benefited from there being so many holidaymakers in town, but now they're enjoying the Gavin and Stacey effect instead, so they're happy again. 'However, I still think the council needs to do a lot more to encourage more people to come here because the show has finished now and we'll always need visitors to help the local economy.' 13 Tony prefers Barry Island without the Butlin's resort Credit: Nigel Iskander 13 The seafront is far less busy during the winter months Credit: Nigel Iskander Barry Island no longer has any holiday parks on the island, but there are still a few nearby that mean visitors can easily access the island. Porthkerry Leisure Park is a family-friendly located close to Barry Island and the scenic Vale of Glamorgan. There's also Fontygary Touring Park which has a spa, pool, and sea views. But none of the holiday parks are on the scale that Butlin's was. 13 Lawrence's nickname is the 'karaoke king' Credit: Nigel Iskander Lawrence Hill, an 83-year-old retired painter and decorator, proclaims himself to be the 'karaoke king' of Barry Island. He said: 'They should never have built those luxury homes on the old Butlin's site. It was a wonderful complex and I'm sure it could have been spruced up and used as some kind of holiday attraction again. It's such a good spot up there. 'I have such fond memories of Butlin's. I wish it was still here in Barry, I really do.' The Top Locations For Fans of Gavin and Stacey Gavin and Stacey came to an end with the finale episode over Christmas, but you can still keep the show's spirit alive with a trip to Barry, Wales. Up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy's local Essex hangout and of course the Tadross Hotel which doubles as The Dolphin - where pints cost £4, according to reviews left by guests. There are organised tours of Gavin and Stacey locations, some onboard Dave's Coaches, but it's easy enough to go on your own adventure.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out Members said they could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas Civic Square in Port Talbot (Image: Lewis Smith ) Neath Port Talbot Council has backed a motion raising concerns and opposition to proposed reforms to the benefits system put forward by the UK Government. The benefit changes could see the tightening of qualification rules for Personal Independence Payments which the local authority feels could have a "detrimental impact" on the most vulnerable in its communities. The discussions came at a full council meeting in June of 2025, where members said moves to cut welfare could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas such as Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the council Steve Hunt said he would now write to both the Welsh and UK Government to ask that they "reassess the Welfare Reform Act and conduct a comprehensive review of the proposed changes with a focus on understanding their implications on vulnerable populations, especially in Wales." He said: "Whilst its intention is to streamline welfare offering and address physical consideration, an unintended consequence is the potential for increasing hardship amongst the most disadvantaged members of society. "These effects may undermine the social safety net essential for ensuring a minimum standard of living, particularly for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to various socio-economic or health-related challenges." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Deputy leader, councillor Alun Llewelyn of Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera, seconded the motion adding that a re- assessment and review were urgently needed. He said: "It is clear that this legislation is misconceived. "As the motion states, the intention may be to streamline welfare, but its unintended consequence will be to plunge hundreds of thousands of people in Wales deeper into poverty, and a re- assessment and review are urgently needed." Councillor Sonia Reynolds of the Neath Port Talbot Labour group said they had written to the Prime Minister to ask him to reconsider his stance on welfare benefits cuts and look for alternative solutions. She added that the impact of reductions could be particularly severe in places like Neath Port Talbot, citing figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which suggested 24% of people in Wales currently live in poverty. Article continues below The motion was later approved unanimously by members, with an amendment that would also see the authority formally respond to the UK Governments Pathways to Work green paper which is open for consultation until June 30, 2025. This consultation discusses proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support, with a focus on getting more people into work.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Eluned Morgan says she will hold UK Government's feet to fire on funding promise
Eluned Morgan says she will hold UK Government's feet to fire on funding promise The First Minister says she has received categorical assurances that control of post EU funding will return to Wales First Minister Eluned Morgan. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) First Minister Eluned Morgan said she will hold the UK Government's 'feet to the fire' after receiving what she said are categorical assurances that Sir Keir Starmer will follow through on a manifesto pledge of returning the running of post EU structural funding to the Welsh Government. What became the Shared Prosperity Fund, which will from next year will be known as the Local Growth Fund, was established by the former Tory Government of Boris Johnson as a replacement for the loss of structural funding from the EU following Brexit to some of the most deprived communities in the UK, including the Valleys and west Wales. EU structural funding was administered by the Welsh Government via the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO). With lobbying from then Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns, the decision was taken that the post EU funding would bypass the Welsh Government and go straight to local authorities who were able to bid for funding for local based projects. Sir Keir Starmer first pledged a return of control to the Welsh Government when addressing the Welsh Labour's annual conference in 2023. It was also confirmed in the party's General Election manifesto last year. Confusion over the role of the Welsh Government in running of the fund was created in the spending review documentation last week from Chancellor Rachel Reeves setting out UK Government departmental spending settlements for the next three financial years starting next April. It clearly highlighted a role for the Wales Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Welsh Government on post EU structural funding. Article continues below It says: 'As one of the representatives for the nations, the Wales Office will work with the MHCLG to implement the new local growth fund, working in partnership with the Welsh Government. This will ensure that this funding is spent on projects that matter to the people of Wales and will drive growth across the country.' Similar language was also used in the documentation for Scotland nod Northern Ireland. Over the last week the Welsh Government has been seeking clarification, with the First Minister now saying she has received assurances from the Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones - although she didn't mention Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner. At a meeting of the Senedd committee for culture, communications, Welsh language, sport and international relations, Blaenau Gwent Labour MS Alun Davies said the spending review reference had seemingly broken the manifesto pledge by the Prime Minister on repatriating powers back to Wales. In response Ms Morgan said:'Just to make it clear I am not accepting what was put in there (spending review) in the way it has been interpreted. I have had a categorical assurance from the Secretary of State for Wales that this will be decided and managed by the Welsh Government. "This was a commitment by the Prime Minister on the stage of the Labour Party conference and I have made it absolutely clear that we will be holding their feet to the fire on this. And I am actually more confident that we are going to get to the place that I want to be, because I have been given those reassurances and it is something I also made clear in a meeting last week in front of the First Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones). In response Mr Davies said he very much welcomed the clarification. In the spending review it was confirmed that Wales will get an allocation of £630m over a three year period from April next year from the MHCLG's local growth fund. Wales getting a 22% allocation of the total funding available. If it was allocated to Wales under the Barnet Formula it would only receive around 5%. A UK Goverment source said 'Wales got the best deal on growth funding of any U nation. Every penny and the overall share of Wales' fund was protected. We are wholly committed to delivering Keir Starmer's pledge to restore the decision making role to Welsh Goverment.' Article continues below If the Welsh Government is to control the fund it will need to set up a delivery team as well as setting priorities for investment. A Welsh Government spokesman said; 'We will ensure this £630m funding has greater impact than the legacy Shared Prosperity fund. "We will continue to discuss the detail of this funding with the UK Government and will decide how it is used to support our economic ambitions and bring prosperity to all parts of Wales.'
