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Hotel owner told to tear down canal and ‘giant cupcake’ venue over planning breaches

He has been advised to seek retrospective planning permission to avoid demolition

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Overview

  • Stephen Cuddy spent about £55,000 constructing a miniature canal system and a reinforced ‘giant cupcake’ wedding venue at Grimscote Manor Hotel between November 2021 and July 2023.
  • WarwiWarwickshire Borough Council classified both projects as unauthorised engineering operations that lack necessary planning approval and warned of potential enforcement action.
  • Cuddy estimates a full legal defence could cost around £100,000 and says he cannot afford to challenge the council’s demands.
  • The canal feature and cupcake structure were showcased on Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces’ and praised by presenter George Clarke as among his finest builds.
  • Council officers have also disputed the lawful use of a marquee removed during Covid and invited Cuddy to submit retrospective applications for all structures.