A NORTH Berwick resident who was ordered to apply for planning permission after painting her door pink received six letters supporting her colour choice.

The stunned home owner was ordered to make a retrospective planning application by East Lothian Council planners after they were alerted to the change in the conservation area.

A single complainer lodged an objection to the colour of the door, telling planners it was “too bright” and not in keeping with other doors on the street.

However the applicant highlighted other doors in her street which are painted red, yellow and blue in her defence of the decision.

And planning officers received letters supporting her decision to paint the door which is not visible from the street.

Granting permission for the pink door to remain, the planning officer said: “The door, whilst visible from a neighbouring first floor flat, is only visible in short duration glimpsed views from the public road.

“In those short duration glimpsed views, the door, whilst painted pink, is not so discernibly from public places that it detracts from or be seen to be harmful to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“Nor is it seen to be at odds with the colour of other doors of neighbouring residential properties.”

Applying for planning permission for the paintwork, which is described as coral, the home owner said: “I had no idea that I needed planning permission for this and assumed it would be okay as there are many other strong coloured front doors in our local streets.

“Our door was chipped and neglected and I was aiming to make it appear smarter – it very much ties in with my design aesthetic and these colourful front doors are becoming increasingly popular in both conservation areas and outwith.”

She pointed out that the front door of her house, on Dirleton Avenue, was not visible from the street because of high hedges and its corner location.

She added: “We invested considerable money in upgrading the front door and the gilded lettering and have received many compliments.”