Plans for smaller house to replace 'fortress' Arcady at Cley

London theatre producer Adam Spiegel and his wife Gay have been ordered to tear down the house they built in Cley, on the coast between Wells and Cromer, after a long-running battle.

The Planning Inspectorate has set a deadline of October 18, 2024, for the house on Holt Road, called Arcady, to be removed from the site.

The controversial property Arcady, at Cley, which a couple have been ordered to pull down (Image: Chris Bishop)

Villagers called the contemporary property an eyesore and said it towered over their homes.

Now the Spiegels have drawn up fresh plans for a property which is "considerably reduced" in size.

A planning statement said: "The applicants are a family that use the current house as their principle private dwelling house with the children schooled locally.

London theatre producer Adam Spiegel, who has been ordered to tear down a property he built on the site of a former bungalow at Cley (Image: Newsquest)

"They are very much engaged in the local community and support many local events. The intention, should this application be successful, is for the applicants to move out of the house while the works are carried out and to move back in on completion of these.

"They wish to remain engaged in the local community and for Arcady to be their permanent home."

Plans were shown to villagers at a public meeting in December, which more than 50 locals attended.

Villagers said the new house was not in keeping with Cley (Image: Chris Bishop)

The planning statement says comments were positive and included “Looks really good – I would like to live there", "so fitting within the environment. It will be an asset to the village" and "certainly more in keeping with the vernacular of the village and the area in general".

Cley Parish Council is set to decide its response at a meeting on February 20.

North Norfolk District Council with have the final say regarding whether plans are approved.

Arcady on the Holt Road at Cley (Image: Chris Bishop)