Former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh’s plans for her dream home in Brentwood have hit a major setback after a council refused permission for extension works.

But the 30-year-old TV star, who had wanted a hip-to-gable roof extension, additional rooflights, a first floor front extension and new front porch to her house in Hutton, has appealed against Brentwood  Borough Council’s decision.

She was granted permission to the home she shares with fiancé Ryan Thomas, and which sits within the exclusive Hutton Mount area, for front and rear extensions, along with a loft conversion, in 2015.

But the borough council have refused the latest application arguing the development plans are “out of keeping with the existing building and the character and appearance of the immediate neighbours, the street scene and surrounding area”.

The plans have also generated opposition from neighbours with one complaining the cul-de-sac had been heavily developed already.

Neighbour Brian Donoghue said he was “totally opposed” to the planning application.

He said in his representations to Brentwood Borough Council: “When I moved in seven years ago it was a cul-de-sac of bungalows.

“I have been living next to a building site for six and a half years and the house next door is still boarded up and still not finished.

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“We have had builders merchants lorries, skip lorries, concrete mixer lorries and many more.

“As a result, the road is now full of potholes.

“There appears to have been no council oversight of the works to ensure completion in an acceptable timeframe to help minimise impact to both the road and the community within it.

“If this application is granted, we will once again suffer the inconvenience of more lorries coming up and down the road is having to go around the roundabout outside our property as the road is too narrow outside Number 4.

“This will mean additional damage to the road.”

Brentwood Council said in its decision notice: “The development, by reason of its hipped and crown roof first floor and forward front extension result in bulky additions and are of a design that is out of keeping with the existing building and the character and appearance of the immediate neighbours, the streetscene and surrounding area, in conflict with policy CP1 (i) and (iii) of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan which seeks to ensure a high standard of design that is compatible with its location; and contrary to the National Design Guide (section C1) and the design objectives contained within the NPPF (2021) which seeks to promote good high quality design and reinforce local distinctiveness.”

Ms Mecklenburgh has now appealed to the planning inspectorate to overturn Brentwood Borough Council’s decision, according to details with the planning inspectorate.

A date for any determination has not been listed.