Television designer Peter Plaskitt and his wife Joy were popping a champagne bottle today as they celebrated victory in the saga of the conservatory.

They had just heard that Government planning inspector Keith Durrant had allowed their appeal against the City of York Council's order they must pull down an extension at the back of their Monkgate shop.

Speaking of the moment they heard, Joy Plaskitt said: "I just burst into tears. It was massive relief. It is a victory for common sense."

She applauded the 300 people who signed a petition supporting herself and her husband, of BBC television's Home Front programme.

In May, councillors decided their extension was out of keeping with the rest of the area and too high.

Mick Britton, council development control officer told inspector Keith Durrant: "It is the type of conservatory you would expect to find behind a country vicarage."

But the inspector preferred the view of the Plaskitts' town planning consultant Raymond Barnes, of Low Petergate, who told a public planning inquiry into the extension it was a "very fine building" that "enhanced" the area.

Mr Durrant said the extension did not harm the surviving historic character of the main Grade II Victorian building.

Mr Plaskitt built the extension while he was applying for planning permission for it.

After it was finished, councillors told him to knock it down. They were supported by Keith Bell, the owner of flats behind the extension, who argued it would adversely affect their view.

The inspector agreed it was not an ideal arrangement, but the impact of the conservatory was not enough to dismiss the appeal.