THE millionaire Grand National-winning horse owner hopes to resolve a planning dispute which has left his family living in a one-bedroomed flat.

Norman Mason, the owner-trainer of Red Marauder, was refused planning permission to upgrade the farmhouse alongside his stables at Brancepeth Manor, County Durham.

Mr Mason, 64, bought the 370-acre former West Brandon Farm ten years ago, and has invested "well over" £100,000 on the racing establishment.

But attempts to create his dream country house for himself, his wife Dorothy and their 18-month-old daughter, Claudia, on the site have been thwarted through planning restrictions.

Plans to extend the 110-year-old farmhouse were turned down by Durham City Council, on advice from its planners.

Mr Mason appealed, but a Government inspector subsequently agreed with the council the proposed house would prove "too big for its setting".

But, on the week of Mr Mason's greatest triumph at Aintree, wheels have been set in motion to draw up a suitable new design.

Mr Mason has taken on Dr Malcolm Bell, a leading national consultant in countryside matters, to discuss proposed amendments to find favour with planning chiefs.

Mrs Mason said: "We bought a run-down farm to turn into stables with a national reputation. Our dream included a country house of outstanding quality.

"So far that part of the dream has been thwarted by planning and we are living in the one-bedroomed flat.

"It so happens, we had set in motion only last week a new initiative to offer Durham city a further design with landscape improvements.

"Red Marauder jumped every fence - let us hope we only have one more to get over."

A city council spokeswoman said: "We said to the land agent we would look at any new drawings. We're always willing to look at new applications."