PLANS to build a shed in a back garden to house pigeons have been approved despite objections from neighbours.

People living in Clifford Avenue, Bishop Auckland, urged members of Wear Valley District Council to reject the application for planning permission for the shed.

Several residents attended a meeting of the council's development control committee on Thursday to voice their concerns.

They told councillors that the pigeons, which are housed in a garage, were attracting rats and creating an unpleasant smell.

Planning officer David Townsend told councillors that the authority had no say over what pets were kept in the shed and only had to consider whether the building was a reasonable size to be built in a garden.

After discussion the plans were approved.