A MAN who built a two-metre high pigeon loft in his garden has vowed to fight Darlington Borough Council after it ordered him to take it down.

Chris Batty, of Stooperdale Avenue, Cockerton, has kept pigeons all his adult life and built the loft four months ago, but he did not realise he needed planning permission for the structure.

Council officers described the site as well-managed and recommended retrospective planning permission be granted, after a site visit.

Members received two letters of support from Mr Batty's next door neighbours and heard that no complaints had been made to the council about the loft in the past four months.

But his application for retrospective consent was rejected by the council's planning committee.

This means he will have to remove the loft unless the decision is reversed on appeal.

There was one objector whose house and garden back on to Mr Batty's rear garden.

Councillor John Williams, said: "I do not think it is appropriate to have a pigeon loft in an area like this."

Mr Batty said: "I can't understand why it hasn't gone through. There are about 25 pigeon lofts dotted all over Cockerton. The height of the pigeon loft from the ground is about two metres - this would be the same as a back fence.

"I am willing to put some green netting up so he (the neighbour) can't see it."

Mr Batty plans to appeal against the decision and will also ask the North-East Homing Union to support him.

"I am disappointed with the decision. But I will fight it all the way because it is not coming down," he said.