Christopher Nevill, a landlord in Canterbury high street, Kent, found himself in hot water with the local council after giving 16th-century shopfronts a new coat of pink paint.

Despite securing permission to repaint a nail salon and hairdressers with a lighter shade of pink, Nevill received a startling letter from Canterbury City Council while in the midst of painting.

The Grade II-listed buildings were deemed too “garish” by the council, prompting a crackdown on unsuitable aesthetics in the historic area.

Officials warned Nevill that failure to comply could lead to jail time or hefty fines.

Nevill expressed frustration, suggesting the council’s response was overblown.

“They could have just sent me a nice email asking how the progress of the painting was coming along,” he remarked, feeling unfairly targeted.

History of Disputes

This wasn’t the first clash between Nevill and the council.

Previously, he had painted the properties without permission, prompting initial objections about the city center’s aesthetic integrity.

Council’s Response

A spokesperson for the council acknowledged the miscommunication, noting that enforcement actions should have been verified before issuing notices.

They apologized for the confusion and emphasized the community’s support for maintaining the area’s historical character.

Resolution in Sight

After Nevill completed the approved paintwork and planned adjustments, the council indicated they would withdraw the enforcement notice once all modifications were finalized.

This rewrite maintains the essence of the original article while presenting the information in a more casual, conversational tone.

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