A PENSIONER who wanted to brighten up her “grotty” street by painting her home blue has been ordered to redecorate after just one complaint.
Mary Kenny turned her home in Deal, Kent, cobalt blue in 2023 but has now been told to repaint the property in white or pale cream by the local council.
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Mary Kenny, of West Street in Deal, spent more than £3,000 repainting her house Credit: Cover Images
Dover District Council is now ordering the 82-year-old to redecorate the property Credit: Cover Images
The 82-year-old spent more than £3,000 on painting her terrace house after it began to show “wear and tear”.
Dover District Council said the colour was “unsympathetic” to the Middle Street conservation area, even though Deal is known for its multi-coloured houses – including a blue pub just a few doors away from Mrs Kenny.
The writer said many neighbours had complemented her on the house’s bold look.
Mrs Kenny has now been given six months to comply with the notice from the council and she has already started repainting her home, despite her plan to appeal.
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Deal is home to many colourful properties – including another bright blue pub just a few doors down Credit: Cover Images
The home was beginning to show signs of wear and tear Credit: Cover Images
“It needed freshening up, and there were a couple of other homes painted blue, and I thought it was a lovely colour” she said.
‘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,” she added.
Mrs Kenny has lived in the end of terrace house for 13 years.
She moved in after her late husband had a stroke and the couple needed a more accessible home.
In 2024 a resident complained about the makeover and Mrs Kenny was contacted by the council.
It initially only advised her to repaint her property but after Mrs Kenny didn’t redecorate, the authority is now taking enforcement 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.”
Dover County Council confirmed an enforcement notice had been issued.
The notice has given Mrs Kenny six months from 1 May to paint her white, off-white or cream.
If the elderly resident doesn’t comply she could be prosecuted or face remedial action.
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.”
There is no specific list of colours Mrs Kenny must use on the notice.
