Alistair MacKinnon, who is the managing director of Norfolk firm MacKinnon Construction, hoped to create an eco-home at Walpole Barns in Erpingham.

To do so, a stables, tennis court and outbuildings would be knocked down to make way for the self-heating property.

The site, close to Thwaite Common, already has planning permission to build an aircraft hangar on the land, to house a helicopter.

However, Mr MacKinnon said these plans will not go ahead if the house is approved instead.

An aerial view of the site in Erpingham (Image: Google)

This led officers to wonder if this was being used as a "bargaining chip".

However, at a North Norfolk District........

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