A landlord has been threatened with jail time by his native council after giving sixteenth century shopfronts a pink paint job.
Christopher Nevill secured permission to repaint a nail salon and hairdressers in Canterbury excessive road, Kent, with a lighter shade of pink.
Nonetheless, after beginning work on the shopfronts he obtained a stunning warning within the submit.
The Grade II-listed buildings have been flagged by Canterbury Metropolis Council as a part of its crackdown on ‘garish’ buildings.
Mr Nevill stated: ‘I obtained the letter on the exact same day I used to be portray the outlets with the color authorised by the council. They advised me for those who do not do the modifications you might go to jail or face a vast positive.
Christopher Nevill (pictured) was threatened with jail time by his native council for portray sixteenth century shopfronts pink
The Grade II-listed buildings – residence to a nail salon and hairdressers (pictured) in Canterbury excessive road – have been flagged as a part of a crackdown on ‘garish’ buildings
‘They might have simply despatched me a pleasant e mail asking how the progress of the portray was coming alongside.
‘However they’re utilizing a sledgehammer to crack a nut even when there isn’t any nut to crack.’
Mr Nevill was first contacted by the native authority in 2023, having painted the surface of the properties a brand new shade of vivid salmon with out permission two years earlier.
Officers stated it was not in step with the fashion of the town centre.
Mr Nevill utilized for planning permission to recoat the outside partitions the council-approved color of ‘conch parade pink’ and make different requested modifications relating to the outlets’ signage and lighting.
His utility was granted final July – giving him till July 24 this yr to start portray.
However over a month earlier than the deadline, he obtained the enforcement discover warning he may face an enormous positive or perhaps a spell behind bars.
He added: ‘I believe this has been a results of incompetence by the council.
‘They have to be delivered to heel and never exceed their powers. This has all made me really feel intimidated and uncomfortable.’
Town council has been cracking down on ‘garish shopfronts that aren’t sympathetic to the world’s heritage and historical past, and have been altered illegally’ for greater than 18 months.
Town council has been cracking down on ‘garish shopfronts’ for greater than 18 months
Customers have beforehand raised considerations that overbearing indicators, lights and paintwork are turning the excessive road right into a ‘second-class Las Vegas’.
Town council says its work has been ‘very nicely obtained by the group’ – however concedes officers ought to have accomplished a final test earlier than sending the warning letter to Mr Nevill.
A spokesman stated: ‘We apologise to Mr Nevill for the confusion relating to an enforcement discover referring to his shopfront.
‘His shopfront was visited on Might 24 and as no work had been carried out, enforcement notices legally requiring him to tone down the color of the paint and take away signage was ready and issued on June 18.
‘Nonetheless, Mr Nevill wrote to us the next day to inform us the paintwork had been accomplished and plans have been progressing on the indicators.
‘We settle for {that a} ultimate test on the premises ought to have been carried out simply earlier than the notices have been issued.
‘We’re happy that Mr Nevill has now carried out the portray work and as soon as the signage has been eliminated, we’ll withdraw the enforcement discover.’
