AN ESTATE agent has lost an appeal to get planning permission for a wall at the rear of a student property.

George Robinson, of Robinsons, had applied for retrospective permission for work to a wall at the back of a terrace in Durham.

Local residents and councillor Liz Scott had objected to the application for the house in Nevilledale Terrace, which was rejected by Durham County Council because it was not in keeping with the conservation area.

The applicant had used concrete render to repair the wall, which inspector David Cross has now confirmed was not in keeping with the Edwardian red brick terrace.

He said: “The expanse of rendered wall appears as a stark and obtrusive addition to the street scene which contrasts uncomfortably with the traditional palette of materials in the area.”

It will now have to be removed.