A COUPLE'S plans to build an orangery behind their Grade II listed home have been put on hold by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee.

Mr and Mrs Phillips, of Neasham Abbey, in Hurworth Road, Neasham, have applied for listed building consent to build the timber and glass extension.

Mr Phillips argued that the proposed orangery was the same as another which was recently added to St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington.

He said the extension was part of a sympathetic restoration of the house and gardens.

However, planning officers recommended refusal at Wednesday's meeting on the grounds that it would be harmful to the architectural interest of the building.