'Footballers' Wives' house order

Andrew Hazell had been told to apply for appropriate planning consents Enlarge Image

A businessman has been ordered to restore a £2m historical mansion after he converted it into something "out of Footballers Wives".

Andrew Hazell, 45, had no planning permissions for changes to the Grade II listed building near Chepstow.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that planners were "appalled" at the demolition Mr Hazell inflicted on the 250-year-old The Gondra country estate.

Judge David Wynn Morgan adjourned the case until next month.

Paula Clarke, chief planning enforcement officer for Monmouthshire County Council, explained how she called at the mansion in Shirenewton, following a tip-off from a member of the public.

She then needed to obtain a court order to inspect the six-bedroom property - which includes 58 acres of land and includes a herd of wild deer - after being refused access.

She said: "I was appalled when I inspected the house - it was the worst building work I had seen in my 25 years in the job.

Unfortunately the 17th Century beams in the cottage are no more - they are gone for ever Paula Clarke, chief planning enforcement officer

Referring to the once popular TV series, she added: "It looked like something straight out of Footballers' Wives."

The court heard how late 18th Century features such as six-panel doors, moulded architraves, plaster cornices, marble fireplaces and tall sash windows had been ripped out.

Mr Hazell had demolished outbuildings at the house, built a large new kitchen extension and had gutted a 16th-Century cottage in the grounds, putting in modern new windows.

He also built a conservatory over a courtyard, a six-vehicle garage and put a swimming pool in the grounds.

Ms Clarke said: "Unfortunately the 17th Century beams in the cottage are no more - they are gone for ever."

A sketch of the Monmouthshire mansion in its former state

She added: "The whole thing was on a huge, staggering scale. Builders refused to let me inspect the site and they had obviously been told not to let anyone from the council near it.

"In the end we had to get a court order to inspect the property.

"Mr Hazell had not got planning permission, listed building consent or building regulations approval."

This court is concerned with the protection of our heritage Judge David Wynn Morgan

Ms Clarke said subsequent meetings about the case had involved Mr Hazell and his father, Martyn, chairman of rugby side Newport-Gwent Dragons.

Mr Hazell's lawyer, Nicholas Cooke QC, told the court his client planned to spend up to £500,000 making good the 250-year-old property in mitigation for the damage caused.

He said: "It is financially, a parlous state of affairs. Hazell's means are not inexhaustible."

Judge David Wynn Morgan said: "This court is concerned with the protection of our heritage.

"Mr Hazell breached planning regulations on a staggering scale and this is at the front of the court's consideration.

"If I imposed a fine that would restrict his ability to put matters right. It is better that his resources be used to put things right."

The judge plans to visit The Gondra next month to inspect restoration work.

The court heard Mr Hazell's architects had told him to obtain planning permission, listed building consent and building regulations approval.

A spokeswoman for Mr Hazell said he was away on holiday.