A row over the removal of a 15-year-old plastic window from a listed historic pub has come to an end.

West Norfolk Council wanted it taken out of the former White Lion pub in Upwell, arguing it looked "out of character" in the 17th-century watering hole.

But the homeowner challenged the enforcers amid claims it was unlikely to be noticed as plastic and questions over whether the issue was worth the council's time.

Eastern Daily Press: Upwell is a picturesque village in west Norfolk, sitting alongside the old course of the River NeneUpwell is a picturesque village in west Norfolk, sitting alongside the old course of the River Nene (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The White Lion sits close to where the Upwell Tramway once ran - an historic railway that inspired the Thomas the Tank Engine stories.

It served the village community for 200 years before it closed in 1985, becoming a residential home.

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The Grade II listed property falls under strict regulations which limits the type of alterations owners can make. 

After the uPVC plastic window was reported to the borough council in February, enforcers issued a notice stating that it must be removed and instead be replaced with a timber-framed window instead.

Eastern Daily Press: The plastic window was installed at the side of the houseThe plastic window was installed at the side of the house (Image: Google)

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But the homeowner was not giving up without a fight and chose to appeal, arguing it had been in place for 15 years and was installed by the previous owner.

A neighbour supported this, saying: "I am surprised that someone has seen fit to complain about the window in question which, whilst just visible from the road, has been in situ for many years.

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"Is this really an item that justifies the time and cost involved when there are so many more pressing issues that the Council needs to address?"

When the appeal was considered by the Planning Inspectorate, they chose to quash the enforcement.

Inspector Thomas Shields decided that the notice contained a number of errors and he also held the view that changing the window could do more harm to the character of the building and would do little to achieve restoring it to its former state.