An Edinburgh homeowner faces being fined £20,000 after she lost a battle with officials about the colour of her front door and was ordered to change the it from pink to an 'off-white'.
Miranda Dickson was told that she must change the colour of her front door in Edinburgh's New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, by April as it doesn't fall in line with the guidelines.
Ms Dickson spent 18 months renovating her childhood home after her parents died in 2019 and was upset when she received the enforcement notice prompted by a single anonymous complainer, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
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She appealed the notice to the Scottish Government in the hope of overturning the order but they have ruled in favour of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Ms Dickson told the Times: "My neighbours painted their doors and did not have to ask permission so guidelines on painting appear to be only for painting the building." The mother-of-two, who is a brand ambassador in the drinks industry, moved back to Edinburgh after working in the US for nine years.
The written decision will allow Ms Dickson more time to have the work completed in spring but said she should apply for permission if she wanted to choose an alternative colour.
Steve Field, a government reporter, said the door colour should be changed. He said: "The guidance advises that 'doors should be painted an appropriate dark and muted colour'. It is evident from my site inspection that the pink paint is neither dark nor muted."
Mr Field added: "The guidelines recommend that windows should be painted white or off-white. The conservation area character appraisal recommends that windows be painted white to maintain the unity of architectural schemes.
"I accept that neither document advocates the use of white paint on front doors. However, I consider white to be a neutral colour and one used on front doors by a number of property owners in Drummond Place without causing an unacceptable impact on the character of the building.
"On these properties, the white doors also complement the white-painted windows so do not disrupt the unity of the Georgian architecture.'"
A council spokeswoman said earlier: "The colour of the door is not in keeping with the historic character and appearance of this listed building in the New Town, part of our world heritage site."
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