Homeowners can keep yellow render, council agrees

Sarah and Christopher Elston said they made the changes to the outside of their home after noticing the existing render had aged and cracked

A couple have been told they can keep a yellow render on the outside of their home, despite council officials saying it should be removed.

Sarah and Christopher Elston applied insulation to the outside of their semi-detached house on Fern Hill, off Cotman Road, Norwich, without planning permission.

Norwich City Council officials said the render should be removed because it was "detrimental" to the Thorpe Ridge Conservation Area.

But the council’s planning committee rejected the recommendation.

The house was discussed in a planning committee meeting on 14 December, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A report to the committee said the cladding was "instantly visible" and "not in keeping with the other properties" in the cul-de-sac.

Ms Elston said the officer’s report was “misleading and at times incorrect” and “exaggerates” changes made to the house.

Council officers said they "did not agree" the report was misleading, insisting it was accurate, but accepted the changes amounted to "less than substantial harm".

A motion allowing the Elstons to keep the render was passed by eight votes to three.