Old Hunstanton home row sees anti-fraud officers called in

They have reported West Norfolk Council's planning department to a fraud helpline as part of a dispute over the three-storey property on Wodehouse Road, an exclusive street in Old Hunstanton known as Millionaire's Row.

The street is named after author PG Wodehouse,  a frequent visitor to the village and who drew inspiration from its leafy surroundings for his Jeeves and Wooster series.

Neighbours say the new build has broken planning rules because it is vastly different from the original application which was approved by councillors - with an extra storey on top.

And they claim the council itself has acted fraudulently by misrepresenting the original plans and insisting the extra floor was always supposed to be there.

The fraud probe has been revealed as councillors met to decide what action to take over the property.

The old Hunstanton home before demolition (Image: West Norfolk Council)

It follows homeowner Henry Middleton making a retrospective application to WNC in the hope of gaining approval for the design of the house after it was built differently to the approved plans.

He claims there have only been "small alterations" to the original application.

However, the ongoing saga has caused uproar in the community and has led to councillors and officers being bombarded with abusive phone calls from angry neighbours complaining the property is too big.

A view across the beach at Old Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Michael Oldham, who lives nearby, is one of those angry at the plans. He reported the council to Action Fraud, which has passed the case on to the National Fraud and Intelligence Bureau.

West Norfolk Council's monitoring officer has refuted any suggestion of fraud, saying the dispute revolves around the interpretation of the previously approved planning application, rather than a fraudulent act. 

The home in Wodehouse Road, Old Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

GRAND DESIGN REFUSED

Amid the claims of fraud, councillors met this week to decide the fate of the home.

The issue of fraud was again raised at the planning committee meeting by Patricia Eckersall, who lives nearby, who highlighted that multiple previous council reports described it as two-storey property.

Tensions are running so high in the village that it prompted councillor Tom de Winton, who represents Old Hunstanton, to attack the behaviour of both the applicant and villagers at the meeting.

Tom de Winton, West Norfolk councillor for Old Hunstanton (Image: West Norfolk Council)

He said: "People have been rude and disrespectful to the council. I do not like officers being bullied."

In the ensuing discussion, there continued to be confusion as to the manner in which the home had been built differently.

Officers explained that a staircase leading to the first floor balcony had been built two metres away from where was originally approved.

Some areas of land had also been raised by 50cm

The changes led to concerns that neighbours are overlooked and overshadowed by the property.

It was proposed that foliage could be planted to create privacy but this move was dismissed by councillor Vivienne Spikings.

Councillor Vivienne Spikings (Image: West Norfolk Council)

She said: "To try and remedy this with a green fence is poor planning. I do not agree with this."

Councillor Martin Storey added that there were about 21 differences to the original plans.

"We do not want to be taken for a ride," he said. 

After a lengthy debate, councillors voted to refuse the application.

This means enforcement officers will now investigate what action to take.

This could include the homeowner being forced to rebuild the home as per the approved plans.

Mr Middleton may also choose to appeal against the decision, which would then mean the Planning Inspectorate - the government department that presides over planning disputes - would make a judgement.

Terry Parish, chairman of the committee, called for the home to be built to the original plans and welcomed any challenge to their decision.

"I do not want to see any wriggle room on this," he said.

"I would be more than pleased to write a letter to the inspector."