Omaze has just two weeks to explain how it plans to resolve a breach of planning rules on a stunning £6 million mansion that will be given away during a live broadcast on Red Nose Day.

The 'for profit' company, which also raises money for charity, has been sent recommendations by council chiefs as to how it thinks alleged planning contraventions on the Norfolk home can be settled.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) says it has given Omaze until March 25 to respond to the suggestions, which have not been made public.

The deadline has been set four days after the winner is due to be announced during Omaze's Comic Relief prize draw live on BBC One on March 21.

NNDC issued the update after completing an investigation which ruled that the home breaches planning rules, as it has not been built in accordance to the application approved in 2020.

The investigation into the property called Larkfields, Blakeney, Norfolk was triggered after an anonymous member of the public raised concerns.

A spokeswoman for NNDC said: 'We have concluded that the development has not been completed in accordance with the approved plans and that additional works have been undertaken where planning permission should first have been obtained.

'We have made recommendations to the site owners as to the way forward we would suggest they follow from here.

'We have asked them to confirm their intentions to us by 25th March 2025.'

The council's recommendations have not been made public but are likely to involve requiring the firm to apply for retrospective permission for elements of the property that have breached rules.

Omaze had published photographs and floor plans of the home in its marketing material which appeared different to the designs approved by NNDC officials in 2020.

There are also additional outbuildings, a tennis court and a swimming pool, which do not appear to have been subject to any planning application.

It is likely that Omaze has been told it will have to apply for retrospective planning permission for elements that have been built not in accordance to the approved plans.

These applications will then follow the usual process of being open for a period of consultation, during which comments in support or objection can be made by members of the public and statutory bodies.

Following this, planning officers will make a decision on the application or, if there are particular concerns, it may go before councillors at a planning committee meeting to come up with a verdict.

Omaze has insisted that whoever wins the grand three-bedroom property - built to resemble mansions found in the exclusive Hamptons area of Long Island - will not be landed with any costs to remedy any planning discrepancies.

Council officers have carried out an inspection of the property and enforcement officers spent last week discussing what action to take.

Entries for the prize draw, which also includes a Porsche 911 Carrera and £250,000 cash, closed last month.

The home featured extensively in television and online adverts for the prize draw, with endorsements from a host of celebrities, including presenter Rylan Clark, chef Jamie Oliver, comedian Lenny Henry and presenter Davina McCall.

Omaze has previously reassured the future winners that they will not face any potential costs related to the planning issues.

A spokesman said: 'Omaze guarantees that no house winner would ever have to incur any costs whatsoever to remedy an alleged historical planning breach.

'Omaze further guarantees that all house prizes are transferred to winners with good and marketable title.'

An Omaze spokesperson said: 'Omaze is working with North Norfolk District Council regarding recommendations made as a result of the recent investigation into the property in Norfolk.

'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.'