A family has won a battle to improve its own home after council officers were criticised for "getting it seriously wrong". 

Eileen and Barry Grimes asked for permission to build a roof balcony and first-floor balcony with French doors at their terraced house on Highgate in Durham city centre, with no objections from neighbours.

They pointed out apparent double standards in the council not allowing them a little outside space - while letting a large developer build "party terraces" over the road.

They bent over backwards to change their plans trying to please Durham County Council design and conservation officers.

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They cut a bay window out of the proposals and moved a roof terrace from front to back so it would be less visible.

Yet a conservation officer still disapproved, complaining the plans would be "visually discordant" and would bring an "inharmonious contemporary element cutting into a traditional roof".

The officer objected, claiming the plans would harm a conservation area, despite acknowledging they would not harm the world heritage site or street scene.

Planning officer Michelle Penman said the scheme was recommended for refusal because of an adverse effect on the conservation area.

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Mrs Grimes addressed councillors on the planning committee, saying she was "dismayed" with the officers' report.

She said: "The proposals remain to improve our home in line with modern standards, to accommodate a growing family with some outside space.

"The balcony looks on to garages and has no visual impact on neighbours, and privacy is respected. No negative comments were received from neighbours."

She pointed to numerous examples of balconies and roof terraces across the city: "How can this not fit with the Durham style?

The Northern Echo: Barry and Eileen Grimes outside Durham Town Hall. Picture: Gareth Lightfoot.Barry and Eileen Grimes outside Durham Town Hall. Picture: Gareth Lightfoot. (Image: Gareth Lightfoot, Newsquest)

"Members, this is the back of the house and is in fact the back street which has no negative impact.

"I hope you will see the pattern that is emerging here.

"Large developers get the balconies and outside space to assist with their selling points, but the resident who wants to improve their home for their family is thwarted."

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Councillor Jonathan Elmer agreed, saying: "I'm really quite frustrated by the situation that's arisen now.

"We're putting pressure on household-scale developments to be absolutely in line with the specific detail of heritage site requirements.

"But when it comes to major buildings, they're totally out of character with the heritage values of the city.

"The city is somehow getting this in my view quite seriously wrong.

"We should be putting that pressure on the big bulk developers and those people responsible for very large buildings.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Jonathan Elmer. Picture: Paul Norris.Cllr Jonathan Elmer. Picture: Paul Norris.

"I'm delighted with what you've done, I'm really pleased that you've made those changes, I don't think it has any significant impact on the heritage value of the city.

"So I'm going to recommend that the officers' recommendation is overturned."

Ward member Cllr Richard Ormerod said there had been "substantial revisions" to the scheme making it "entirely acceptable".

He said: "It appears we still have an impasse though and I really think it's now time for the committee to approve this.

"Very tellingly, no residents of Highgate have objected. The parish council, which has a dedicated planning committee, has not objected.

"Let's move this on now."

The Northern Echo: Cllr Richard Ormerod. Picture: Northern Echo.Cllr Richard Ormerod. Picture: Northern Echo.

The plans were originally considered in July but put back for further discussions with the council.

 

Committee chairman Cllr David Freeman said balconies were "far from unique" and "any impact on the conservation area is negligible".

Councillors defied their officers and voted unanimously to approve the plan.

Mrs Grimes - a former Mayor of Durham City Council who had sat on its planning committee for 10 years - said after the meeting: "I'm absolutely delighted. It's been a dreadful struggle.

"We completely changed what we were going to do. We were happy to adapt.

"They (officers) didn't want it. Thankfully members' common sense approach prevailed.

"I feel like I can pick my life up and get on."

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