Neighbour lodges formal complaint over 'bright' pink door

A North Berwick resident was ordered to apply for planning permission after a neighbour complained about her pink door.

The homeowner was told to make a retrospective application by East Lothian Council planners after they were alerted to the change in the conservation area.

A single complainer lodged an objection to the colour of the door, telling planners it was “too bright” and not in keeping with other doors on the street.

However, the applicant pointed to other doors on her street that are painted red, yellow and blue in her defence of the decision.

Planning officers also received six letters supporting her decision to paint the door which is not visible from the street.

After being granted permission, the homeowner said: “I had no idea that I needed planning permission for this and assumed it would be okay as there are many other strong-coloured front doors in our local streets.

“Our door was chipped and neglected and I was aiming to make it appear smarter.

“It very much ties in with my design aesthetic and these colourful front doors are becoming increasingly popular in both conservation areas and outwith.”

She highlighted that the front door of her house, on Dirleton Avenue, is not visible from the street because of high hedges and its corner location, adding: “We invested considerable money in upgrading the front door and the gilded lettering and have received many compliments.”

By Local Democracy Reporter Marie Sharp