A MAN denied permission to extend his house has won his appeal against Darlington Borough Council's ruling.

Arthur Hird, of North Road, Darlington, applied to the council for permission to build a side extension to his semi-detached house in North Road.

The plans included a kitchen and lounge on the ground floor, a bedroom, bathroom and small study at first floor level and another bedroom in the roof space. Three parking spaces were proposed in front of the building.

But the local authority refused Mr Hird, who is a builder, permission for the extension.

It cited potential problems with the parking spaces and a lack of private amenity space for residents.

Planning inspector Patrick Burke granted Mr Hird's appeal, subject to the condition that the house should not be occupied until two parking spaces had been provided outside the building.

Mr Hird said: "I am really pleased that I won the appeal. I couldn't understand what all the grief was about anyway.

"I had paid £600 to have the plans drawn up, and I wouldn't have spent that sort of money if my architect had not told me the plans were likely to be given the go-ahead. Now it has been confirmed that they should have in the first place.