A former television producer who had to retire through ill health has been given consent to build a new house incorporating facilities for a disabled wheelchair user.

A former television producer who had to retire through ill health has been given consent to build a new house incorporating facilities for a disabled wheelchair user.

Jimmy McKinney and his wife Lyn have lived in Tasburgh for more than 30 years, and are founder members of the village drama group.

They love village life and want to continue living in the community. Mr McKinney submitted a planning application to demolish existing outbuildings at their present home, Holly Tree Cottage in Grove Lane, so they can create a house to meet their future needs.

He has Parkinson's disease, a degenerative incurable illness whose symptoms include tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement leading to probable use of a wheelchair.

But the site is outside the village development limits, and the application had been recommended for refusal by planning officers as being contrary to policy.

Mr McKinney was backed by the parish council, local residents, and the council's area planning committee which voted 6-0 in favour. As approval would be contrary to policy, the scheme was then referred to the main planning committee who gave the go-ahead on Wednesday.

The design of the new two-bedroom property was inspired by an existing Nissen hut on the site, and reclaimed materials will be used in its construction. It will also have other eco-friendly features such as a ground source heat pump, grey water recycling for garden irrigation, non-toxic materials, and planting to offset carbon emissions.