SWANSEA business tycoon Martin Morgan may have to pull down his dream millionaire's mansion after running into more problems.

The stalled plush home with stunning views of Three Cliffs Bay, owned by city hotelier and Swansea City director Mr Morgan, has run into problems after controversially being granted planning permission in April 2008. and starting work on the new home.

It is understood that he has now told planning chiefs he could have to pull it all down and start again.

Two architect firms have been employed, and a further planning application had to be submitted after on-site alterations — although it has recently been withdrawn after council planners indicated it would be recommended for refusal. Now, ward councillor Richard Lewis is urging planners to take enforcement action, including the demolition of the Penmaen property, Bryn House, on the grounds that it was a lot bigger than the originally approved scheme.

And it's understood that Mr Morgan is considering pulling down the building, or at least part of it, after coming up with another set of designs.

It is the latest twist in a long saga which began in spring last year, when planning officers approved the scheme, which had been endorsed by quality new-build champions Design Commission for Wales.

The five-bedroom property, including a cellar and games room, was to be clad in wood and stone reclaimed from the former Bryn Cottage, which had been demolished. Glazed balcony areas were designed to make the most of the stunning south-facing views.

The planning approval, under so-called delegated powers, was in line with the council's constitution, but eyebrows were raised when the application — which had objectors — wasn't called in for discussion by councillors.

Urging enforcement action yesterday, Councillor Lewis said: "I believe planners have a responsibility when a contentious application like this comes forward with objections by the Gower Society, the community council in Ilston and other residents, to send it to planning committee.

"In this case, unfortunately, that did not happen."

The authority insists it did notify Councillor Lewis that planners were minded to approve the scheme, thereby giving him the chance to call it in for debate.

Public documents at the Civic Centre include a copy of an email sent on March 20, 2008 — before the application was formally approved — on behalf of planning applications manager John Lock to councillor Lewis and fellow members saying the scheme, and others, were to be "determined". It gave them five working days to respond.

The next instalment in the saga came last winter when work on Bryn House stopped, following an inspection by council planners.

They were contacted by Mr Morgan, who said he felt things weren't quite going to plan, but that he was determined to make the building an asset to Gower. Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

New architects were hired, meetings took place with planners, and a fresh application was submitted in April. Referring to the on-site problems, the new architects said it had become clear that "site conditions, constraints and practicalities of construction" would require some modifications.

They went on: "Without full understanding, client and contractor made what they considered minor amendments. Once the client became aware of the issues, he contacted planning to request a visit."The fresh application was subsequently called in by Councillor Lewis and planners viewed it unfavourably.

Asked why it would have recommended refusal, a council spokesman said yesterday: "The reason was that the proposed dwelling, by reason of its overall size, scale and inappropriate design, would be visually intrusive and detract from the character and appearance of Gower, contrary to the provisions of the unitary development plan."