Maurice and Audrey Balchin won a ruling that the Parliamentary Ombudsman must investigate for the fourth time their complaint against the Department of Transport.

The ruling is the latest in a legal saga revolving around plans announced in 1986 by Norfolk County Council to build a bypass near the couple's home.

Although the plans were scrapped ten years later, the Balchins say they were financially ruined by the resulting drop in value of their Wroxham home.

Monday's decision brings the Balchins, who are in their late sixties, a step closer to being able to claim compensation.

The Balchins are closer to getting compensation

The couple say the value of their £435,000 home plummeted when the plans to build the road four metres from their property were announced.

When banks learned of the road scheme, loans secured on the house were called in and Mr Balchin had to close his chartered surveyors' business.

The couple say they were left jobless and penniless.

Although the bypass plans were cancelled, the couple say potential buyers remained nervous it could be resurrected.

Four years ago the property was sold for £220,000 shortly before it was due to be repossessed.

The plight of the couple, who now live in Fressingfield, Suffolk, has been considered by the Parliamentary Ombudsman three times.