It was revealed last week that Inverclyde Council have served an enforcement notice on the Varese family, who own the Esplanade property, telling them they plan to force them to have the house returned to its original colour.

The story sparked an online frenzy with around 200 comments posted on the Tele’s Facebook page within a matter of hours.

Jamie McGowan posted: “Shocking! Give them a break, it actually brightens up the town.

“I would rather look at the house than abandoned buildings, potholes in the streets, litter and rubbish dumped everywhere and many other things that could get mentioned.

“Good job our council is not set in Balamory.” Another reader, Margaret Blair, commented: “I can think of a number of properties around the area which are an eyesore because the owners don’t look after their homes and let them go to wrack and ruin.

“Which would you rather have next door to you, a nicely cared for house which, colour wise might not be to everyone’s taste or another, that’s a complete pigsty? I know what I’d rather see.” Although most of the comments were in favour of the house, others believe that rules are rules and that the owners have to abide by the conservation area guidelines which have triggered the planning dispute.

Carol Roxburgh posted: “Good. I’m pleased to see the council are sticking to their guns.

“If one purchases a home in a conservation area, one is aware of the rules associated with that purchase, and should abide by those rules — otherwise, buy a house elsewhere.” Edoardo Varese says he has been bolstered by the show of support for his family’s house.

It even inspired him to write a letter to Downing Street in his fight to keep the lemon-zest colour of the home.

He said: “I wrote a letter to David Cameron about the situation.

“He replied and referred me to the Scottish Government.

“My lawyers are handling the case at the moment.” The family have until 3 August to appeal to Scottish ministers against the enforcement notice.

If no appeal is lodged, they have a further eight weeks from that date to carry out the repainting work.

If they then fail to do this, the council could send in tradesmen to carry out the work then bill the Vareses for the cost of the job.