Decision on colour of Madeira Street property expected next month

Planning officials from Inverclyde Council will visit the property in Madeira Street at the end of the month before making a final decision in April.

As reported by the Tele last year, Inverclyde Council officials refused Simon Leslie-Carter and his wife Judy retrospective permission to keep the colour scheme on the back of their flatted villa.

They said it was not in keeping with conservation area rules.

But Mr Leslie-Carter, who is retired, and his wife, who works as a complimentary therapist, appealed the decision.

Simon said: “We are very surprised to get the refusal, it was an unexpected disappointment.”

The couple decided to repaint the exterior of the property in June last year as it had been 22 years since it was last painted.

But within a week of the work being completed, a planning officer showed up on their doorstep.

A complaint was received about the paintwork and they were asked to submit a planning application form seeking retrospective permission.

Two members of the public sent in comments to the council in support of the application, while no objections were received.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the local authority’s Local Review Body where it was decided that councillors would visit the property before making a final judgement at their next meeting on April 5.