A luxury property in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, has become the centre of a bitter five-year dispute after its owner added a swimming pool, garage, and office without planning permission.
The seaside village, often nicknamed “Hollywood on Sea” for its star-studded residents, has seen tensions rise as locals argue over whether the additions comply with development rules.
Dean Robson Stands Firm Amid Council Pressure
Dean Robson, a successful entrepreneur running a solar and renewable energy company along with several other local businesses, claims he believed the structures were allowed under permitted development rules.
Both Cornwall Council and the Planning Inspectorate have rejected his claim, yet Robson has not taken any steps to remove the buildings by the July 2025 deadline, forcing the council to consider further enforcement measures.
Council Signals Enforcement Is Imminent
Local Reform Councillor Rowland O’Connor told the Daily Mail that authorities are ramping up pressure.
“It should have been dealt with by now, but it hasn’t been, so I’ve been expediting resources and attention into getting it enforced,” he said.
While O’Connor stopped short of promising bulldozers, he stressed that ignoring the enforcement notice is not an option: “This doesn’t all go away if he ignores us, it needs dealing with and we will deal with it.”
Mawgan Porth’s Star-Studded Appeal
Mawgan Porth has become one of the UK’s most desirable coastal towns, with average house prices reaching £5.7 million over the last year, according to Rightmove.
Celebrities including Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, action star Jason Statham, actress Imogen Stubbs, Jamie Dornan, and Stanley Tucci have all bought properties in the village, drawn by its charm and exclusivity.
Local Frustration Over Unauthorised Buildings
Lifelong residents have voiced frustration at Robson’s decision to build without permission.
One local commented: “Either he made an incredibly foolish mistake thinking he could build all those extra buildings or he just arrogantly thought he’d get away with it.
The fact he hasn’t done anything to fix it might lead some people to conclude which one.”
Residents emphasise that while development is welcomed, rules exist for a reason.
The Planning History
Robson was granted planning permission to build a new home but went ahead with additional structures, including a garage, office, and outdoor swimming pool.
Two retrospective planning applications in 2021 and 2022 were rejected, and his appeal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate was dismissed.
Comments on the council’s planning portal described the additions as showing “blatant disregard of the planning process” and likened them to unauthorised G7 Summit structures at Carbis Bay Hotel.
Robson’s Defence
Robson has defended his actions, stating he bought the property in 2017 with planning permission for the new home and built it in 2020.
He claims the lack of a garage was an oversight during the pandemic and that he assumed he could build the garage and office under permissive development rights.
He acknowledges a technical error: the garage and pool sit slightly outside the established curtilage of the property, which triggered the need for planning permission.
Council Confirms Enforcement Action
A Cornwall Council spokesperson confirmed that enforcement action was taken due to the unauthorised change of land use from agricultural paddock to residential purposes.
“The owners exercised their right to appeal, but the Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal and upheld the enforcement notice with a compliance date of July 2025,” the spokesperson said.
The council is actively communicating with Robson to ensure compliance.