AN appeal over plans to build a house and detached garage in the garden of a house in Milbank Road, Darlington, has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The applicant was seeking to overturn Darlington Borough Council's decision to refuse the scheme on the grounds that it would affect the area's character, have a detrimental impact on neighbouring homes and it would result in the felling of a protected Acer tree.

The inspectorate's report concluded that the proposal would not harm the character of the area, but the report did say it would cause considerable harm to the outlook of neighbouring home in Pierremont Crescent.

The inspector concluded that the tree was also in real danger of being affected.

The inspector said: "I consider the proposal would have a materially harmful effect on the tree preservation order contrary to the development plan, and that this is sufficient on its own for me to dismiss the appeal."