**Omaze Mansion Winner Still Locked Out After Record-Breaking Home Win**
Nearly three months after her life was changed overnight by a headline-making lottery win, Vicky Curtis-Cresswell faces an unexpected hurdle: she has yet to receive the keys to her new £6 million Norfolk mansion, the most expensive property ever raffled off in a UK competition. The 38-year-old, who previously competed for the Miss Wales crown, was elated when announced as the winner of the prestigious Larkfields estate in late February. The property, set within three acres and boasting seven bedrooms, was hailed as a dream residence—yet it now finds itself at the centre of an unforeseen planning controversy.
The Omaze charity mansion draw that brought Vicky her extraordinary windfall was not only life-altering for her, but also historic for the lottery itself, with proceeds raising an impressive £4 million for the charity Comic Relief. Nevertheless, the victory has been overshadowed by questions regarding planning permission for several key features highly publicised in promotional materials, including the tennis court and swimming pool. According to reports, these coveted amenities were constructed without the necessary council consent.
Trouble surfaced after a formal complaint was lodged with North Norfolk District Council in March. The council subsequently launched an investigation into whether the grand home was built in accordance with the approved plans. It has since emerged that the size of the house itself may exceed official permissions, further complicating the situation. As a result, Vicky’s move-in date remains suspended indefinitely, despite her dreams of homeownership after years spent renting.
The home’s design drew inspiration from the iconic seaside mansions of Long Island’s Hamptons, promising luxury at every turn. Yet, for all its promise of glamorous living, the estate has become a battleground for planning compliance. Omaze, the company behind the groundbreaking raffle, maintains that all houses awarded are supposed to be handed over with a clear, marketable title. A spokesperson for the company stressed that any planning breaches went unnoticed during Omaze’s acquisition of the property and vowed to “work with North Norfolk District Council to regularise planning matters.”
“Omaze will transfer ownership of the property to the winner once all planning matters are resolved,” the company reassured. They further promised that no costs relating to retrospective planning permission or modifications would fall to the raffle winner. A pre-application for planning regularisation has been submitted, with a full retrospective application expected imminently.
Meanwhile, Vicky, her husband Dale, and their young daughter remain in Wales, living with her in-laws in a cramped three-bedroom property. The family was actively searching for rental accommodation just prior to their win. Vicky described the experience as “absolutely flabbergasting”, recalling that her sister-in-law cried with joy upon hearing the news. Not only was it their first step into homeownership, but the financial reprieve felt like a “weight lifted,” as both she and Dale work hard yet often felt stretched.
Despite the uncertainty, Vicky has indicated her intention to sell the Norfolk mansion, should the handover eventually proceed. Her plan is to purchase a home closer to family in Wales—potentially turning the £10 ticket that won her the house into a new start. She noted the strain of continuing to live in limbo, unable to fully capitalise on her fortune.
The Larkfields estate, spanning a vast 5,000 square feet, includes a summer house, a fully furnished interior valued at £165,000, an AstroTurf tennis court, and even a cash sum of £250,000 which was part of the prize package. However, all these amenities are currently off limits while the legal and administrative processes unfold.
North Norfolk District Council confirmed that Omaze has signalled their intention to submit all necessary paperwork to resolve the ongoing planning breaches, and indicated they expect the application to be filed by the end of the month. The outcome remains pending, and if retrospective permission is refused, the company may be compelled to modify the property to align with original plans—delaying the handover even further.
As the story develops, Vicky and her family, together with aspiring charity lottery winners watching closely, must wait to see whether bureaucracy or luck wins out in the end. This unexpected twist highlights a poignant reality: sometimes, even a dream home can prove elusive long after the winning ticket has been drawn.