An 82-year-old resident who attempted to inject some vibrancy into her “drab” street by painting her house blue has been instructed to revert the color to white following a single complaint.

Mary Kenny spent over £3,000 refurbishing her home in Deal, Kent, with a striking cobalt blue in 2023 after noticing signs of “wear and tear” on the end-terrace property. She hoped the fresh coat would enliven the area.

However, after a dissatisfied neighbor raised an objection, Dover District Council (DDC) stepped in, demanding that Mrs. Kenny repaint her house in either white or a pale cream shade.

The council justified the directive by stating that the vibrant color does not align with the aesthetic standards of the Middle Street conservation area.

This decision has left Mrs. Kenny puzzled, as she pointed out that numerous properties throughout Deal boast a variety of colors, including a nearby pub painted in a similar shade of blue.

She also mentioned that several neighbors have praised the new look of her home.

She has now been given six months to comply with the notice and, despite her plan to appeal the decision, the 82-year-old has reluctantly started repainting the property white.

‘Painting it blue has improved the street scene because it used to be very grotty,’ she said. 

‘It needed freshening up, and there were a couple of other homes painted blue, and I thought it was a lovely colour.

Mary Kenny’s blue end-terrace home. The pensioner spent more than £3,000 painting the house in Deal, Kent

Mary Kenny (pictured) has been ordered to repaint her home following one complaint 

‘I’m a little old lady of 82, so it’s very concerning to have to confront a problem like this, but I do feel I am owed an explanation as to why. I’m looking for some arbitration and accountability to explain the process. Everyone in the town should know how these decisions are made.’

Mrs Kenny, a writer, moved into the property in 2013 as she needed a more accessible home for her late husband after he suffered a stroke.

She said DDC first contacted her about the new colour scheme in 2024 after a resident raised a complaint. 

At the time, the authority only advised her to repaint the home, but it is now taking enforcement action due to the lack of action.

She added: ‘I am willing to comply with the request to change the colour when I can afford to, and have made a start on the repainting, but I am appealing as I would like a hearing to make these judgements more transparent. 

‘I was able to get my painter to come out one afternoon and start to put the new colour on, and I’ve asked if he can spare some more time. But I’ve informed DDC that I will appeal against the notice because, apart from everything else, I simply can’t afford to repaint it all. A really big part of the job is the scaffolding because I think it cost more than £1,000 last time and is probably more now.’

A DDC spokesperson confirmed the authority has issued an enforcement notice against Mrs Kenny. 

Repainting a property would not normally require planning permission, but the authority said it is needed in Mrs Kenny’s case as her home is in a conservation area.

The order from the council has baffled the pensioner, who pointed out that properties across Deal are painted in many different colours – including a pub (pictured) just a few doors down which is a similar blue to her house

The enforcement notice said: ‘The painting of the exterior has, due to its inappropriate colour, resulted in a visually unsympathetic development.

‘The inappropriate colour results in the building appearing visually dominant in the street scene, detracting from the visual harmony of the grouping of historic buildings.

‘The painting of the dwelling, therefore, falls to preserve or enhance the conservation area and results in significant harm.’

Under the notice, Mrs Kenny is required to paint the home in white, off-white or cream within six months from May 1.

DDC adds a failure to comply could result in prosecution or remedial action by the authority.

However, it does not specify an approved list of colours for repainting a home.