Candice Hadfield, of Mobberley, has fought since 1994 with Macclesfield Borough Council to convert her barn into a house.

Councillors finally approved her plans two weeks ago, but now the Environment Secretary will have the final say.

"He has to be informed about this and then decide what action - if any - he is going to take," said a council spokesman.

"He may decide to hold an inquiry and Mrs Hadfield will not be allowed to do anything yet."

The delay will come as a blow to Mrs Hadfield who bought Little Meadow in Great Warford at a public auction.

She had permission to change the barn, but when building work started council officers found fault.

Windows of the building are still boarded up after the bitter battle with the council which is believed to have cost taxpayers £246,000.

Yesterday (Tuesday) Mrs Hadfield was unavailable for comment, but she is considering taking her fight to the European Court of Human Rights.