A couple residing in an exclusive area of London have been forced to repaint the exterior of their £2.6 million Grade II-listed Victorian townhouse.
Edmond Curtin, a solicitor, and his wife recently painted their historic Gibson Square property in bold black and dark grey tones without obtaining the necessary prior planning permission.
The move prompted significant complaints from neighbours, who expressed concerns about the stark contrast the new colours posed against the traditional Victorian and Regency façades that characterise the area.
One neighbour, who has lived on the square for 60 years, told the Daily Mail: ‘I was so upset when it happened that I didn’t want to meet them.’
They added: ‘Their plea at the time was we haven’t damaged the building — well firstly how would they know and secondly you have damaged the area. I don’t know, I remember we were furious at the time.’
The local planning enforcement team described the updated colour scheme as ‘visually discordant and jarring’.
They deemed the new façade inappropriate for a conservation zone with strict guidelines intended to protect the architectural heritage of Gibson Square, which is in the Barnsbury district of Islington.
After a failed appeal against the council’s decision, Mr Curtin was ordered by the planning inspectorate to restore the house to its original, lighter shade
This order mandated compliance within two months, and the property has since been repainted in accordance with the conservation regulations aimed at maintaining the traditional streetscape and period charm of the neighbourhood.
Importance of preservation in Gibson Square
Known for its cohesive historic aesthetic, Gibson Square is a highly coveted residential area where townhouses retain their classic 19th-century appearance.
The area’s properties have commanded average sale prices of £2.65 million over the past year, according to Rightmove, illustrating the premium placed on maintaining its unique character.
A long-standing resident of Gibson Square remarked that undoing the renovation was ‘obvious’ given the community’s strong commitment to protecting the ambience and heritage of the neighbourhood.
This sentiment reflects an active collective desire among residents to uphold conservation standards and ensure the area’s historic fabric remains intact.
However, another resident who spoke to the Daily Mail had some sympathy for the couple.
‘I didn’t think it was actually as ugly as some people made out, but it was vaguely hilarious that they tried to appeal and held out so long.’
They added: ‘You cannot change anything on these houses without some authority or other sticking their nose — which can be infuriating when you have a huge bill for restoration of a window ledge or whatever — but I suppose it’s all for a good reason.’
Similar disputes have occurred in affluent areas such as Kensington, where a former legal battle arose after a homeowner painted their property in red and white stripes, which was initially opposed by the council and neighbours.
That case ultimately concluded with a court allowing the striking design to remain, highlighting the complex balance between individual creativity and conservation rules.
In locations such as Notting Hill, a trend known as ‘Blacklash’ is emerging, where some residents paint homes black to discourage tourists and social media influencers from using their properties as backdrops.
Meanwhile, the Curtin couple’s experience underscores the limitations and responsibilities involved in altering listed properties within conservation zones.
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