Council 'orders pensioner to repaint'

A pensioner from Somerset has been threatened with legal action unless she repaints her Grade II listed cottage.

After spending £500 to spruce up her 230-year-old house and paint her yellow cottage a pale blue, Shelia New has been told by officials to return the building to its original state or face a fine of up to £1,000.

The defiant homeowner has claimed she is determined to fight the decision.

"I have spoken to dozens of people in the village and they all say how nice the cottage looks. Common sense never comes into it with these council pen pushers," she said.

Mrs New described the old yellow colour as "horrible" but a council representative has told her that she must return it to the original or the golden browns and beiges that characterise the local area.

This case highlights the requirement for those attempting a self build home, or renovating an existing property, to ensure that they have obtained the correct permissions before embarking on a project.