The council approved extensions to 76 Hill Street, but rejected the garage component and owner Robert Linsell agreed to a carport.

But he then appealed the decision, asking to have the garage included.

Mr Linsell said the previous steel carport at the back of the property needed to be replaced with a gym to help his wife, who suffered a back injury. 

He said a rear structure would cut light to his and his neighbour’s living areas and the size of his garden and a carport would not provide security and would detract from the home’s appearance.

“Carports were not structures built in the late 1800s,” he said. 

Andrew Saunders of Saunders and Staniforth Valuers pointed out the design was detached and its height, roof pitch and features would match the house – the garage would be built with bricks recycled from the house, while the door would mirror the front fence.

“This isn’t a cost-cutting exercise, they’re trying to get the details right,” he said of the owners.

The development was recommended for refusal, but councillor Jeff Whitton moved an approval.

“Using bricks from the original home, I can only see it complementing the premises,” he said.

Councillor Glenn Taylor said councillors needed to practise discretion and common sense.

“It should also be sympathetic to the needs of the modern day – when the house was built, there probably wasn’t too many motorcars.”