A planning row has broken out over the colour of a card shop...two years after it opened.
Cariad Cards and Gifts on Denbigh High Street has been given 30 days to apply for planning permission to change the facade and signage of the listed building - a process that will cost hundreds of pounds.
But the owner Christopher Bonnell described the situation as “absolute madness” and said he is not going down without a fight.
On social media, he called on customers to sign and share a petition, which has already attracted more than 750 names.
Conwy Valley bakery closes after 400 years following neighbour dispute and bread sales hit
Speaking to the Daily Post, Mr Bonnell said: “Out of the blue, I received a letter from Denbighshire Council’s planning department telling me I had 30 days to apply to planning permission to change the fascia and signage of the shop because it is a listed building in a conservation area and not suitable to the town’s heritage colours.
“I wouldn’t mind if we’d only just opened but it’s been like that since we opened two years ago.
“When I eventually got through to the planning department, they told me the notice was in response to a complaint.
“We have never had any negative feedback about the colour of the shop, in fact we have had many compliments about the bright colours of our shop and the signage.”
Mr Bonnell said it will cost more than £500 to change the signs and colours, not to mention the planning application costs.
“The whole thing is ludicrous, in fact it’s bordering on absolute madness,” he added.
The notice about the alleged planning breach states there was no planning consent for the original shop fascias, and threatens enforcement action if changes aren’t made.
It adds: “You are requested to remedy the alleged breach by repainting the fascias in an appropriate heritage colour and replacing the advertisements with the alternatives which do not detract from the special historical and architectural qualities of the listed building.
“Please note, listed building consent will be required for these changes.”
But Mr Bonnell’s petition states: “We are not going to change a damn thing without a fight so we thought we would ask for the help of customers and the people of Denbigh.
“If you think we should keep the bright colours of our shop, please would you call into the shop and sign our petition? Or put pen to paper so we can put to the council that the majority of Denbigh like our colours and signage and want it to stay.”
A Denbighshire Council spokesman said: “The council has received a complaint about the work carried out.
“As the building is listed, any painting work would need consent from the local planning authority.
“As such, we have now written to the property owners requesting they repaint the signage and the fascia.
“To do so would require consent, as it will be classed as an alteration to a listed building.
“The property is located in a conservation area where the principle of preserving the heritage character applies, meaning that certain paint colours may not be acceptable.
Share your views about this story using the comment section below.
