A former Miss Wales finalist is still waiting to receive the keys to her £6million Omaze house nearly three months after winning the draw.
Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, 38, said it had felt like ‘an enormous weight had been lifted’ when she was the lucky winner of Larkfields in Norfolk in February.
The mansion home was the most expensive ever given in a UK prize draw with the competition raising £4million for BBC‘s Comic Relief.
But Omaze’s so-called notorious ‘curse’ appears to have struck again as the home, modelled on the luxurious seaside villas in the Hamptons in Long Island, is at the centre of a planning fallout.
The tennis court and swimming pool, much lauded in Omaze’s spiel to promote the draw, reportedly do not have planning permission.
While the pastel blue panelled fronted home has been built larger than was permitted, the BBC reported.
North Norfolk District Council launched an investigation in March when a member of the public complained it had not been built to the submitted blueprints.
Omaze said it had submitted a pre-application to the local authority and would be filing a retrospective planning application.
Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, 38, said it had felt like ‘an enormous weight had been lifted’ when she was the lucky Omaze winner of Larkfields in Norfolk in February
But Omaze’s so-called notorious ‘curse’ appears to have struck again as the home, modelled on the luxurious seaside villas in the Hamptons in Long Island, is at the centre of a planning fallout
The fundraising firm said issues with the home had not been found when checks and surveys were carried out before it had been bought.
A spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Omaze continues to work with North Norfolk District Council 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 reiterates that it guarantees no house winner would ever have to incur any costs whatsoever to remedy any historical planning issue. Omaze further guarantees that all house prizes are transferred to winners with good and marketable title.
‘Omaze will transfer ownership of the property to the winner once all planning matters are resolved.’
If the retrospective planning application is refused the council could order the company to make changes to the property so it is in line with the original plans.
Ms Curtis-Cresswell, who bought her winning ticket for just £10, and who has never owned her own home before, is planning to sell it in order to buy a house in her native Wales.
Jamie Minors, managing director of local estate agents Minors and Brady, said last month the planning problems would ‘massively affect the chance of sale, as some people will be put off and will not want to buy it. It could also affect the value’.
‘Selling it will definitely be more difficult and challenging, as solicitors will definitely advise against it,’ he said.
Ms Curtis-Cresswell currently lives with her husband, Dale, 41, and young daughter at her in-laws’ three-bedroom house in Wales and the family were looking for their own rental property when news of the win came in.
The tennis court and swimming pool, much lauded in Omaze’s spiel to promote the draw, reportedly do not have planning permission
The fundraising firm said issues with the home had not been found when checks and surveys were carried out before it had been bought
Vicky Curtis-Creswell, 38, and husband Dale, 41, won the house after spending just £10 on a ticket for the Omaze prize draw
Sun loungers by the outdoor pool give a view over spectacular scenery by the north Norfolk coastline
The kitchen at the imposing house, which was built in the style of architecture found in Cape Cod and the Hamptons, boasts integrated appliances, a US-style fridge and an island with seating for four people
Dining for ten at the substantial property, which overlooks the north Norfolk coast. Outside is another table and chair for al fresco meals
A living room in the £6 million house in Blakeney, Norfolk, that featured in the Omaze prize draw
‘Our lives changed forever and we became multi-millionaires,’ said Ms Curtis-Creswell, who entered the Miss Wales competition in 2008 and won Most Driven Contestant.
‘I was absolutely flabbergasted, my sister-in-law burst out crying. It was a mixture of pure shock and joy.
‘Like a lot of people, it’s fair to say times can be tough. We both work so hard but things can still feel stretched some months. Winning this house feels like an enormous weight has been lifted.
‘It’s crazy. One week, we’re worrying about our old car breaking down, the next thing we’ve got a £6 million house.’
A £250,000 cash prize came with the 5,000 sq ft house, which also has a summer house, all-weather AstroTurf tennis court and access to a secluded pontoon and has £165,000 worth of furnishings.
The property could earn an estimated £5,500 per month if rented out – but Ms Curtis Cresswell added: ‘I think we’ll sell it to release the money and buy another amazing house somewhere in Wales.
‘We’ll be having a big party in Norfolk before we sell up. We can’t wait to invite our friends and family.’
A North Norfolk District Council spokeswoman said: ‘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.’
