Council officers have ordered Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood to repaint his bright pink door in an upmarket area of London. Westminster Council’s ruling could see the rock star, 79, “paint it black” in a nod to the band’s 1966 hit.
The Dispute Over the Pink Door
Wood, who lives with his wife Sally, 48, and their ten-year-old twin girls, has had a pink door at their £7million Maida Vale mansion for years, The Daily Mail reports. The couple purchased the property in 2017, shortly after the birth of their children. It seems they are not the only ones with a colourful façade, as a neighbour has opted for a tangy orange front door while other houses have also chosen vibrant hues.
But the council has reportedly refused retrospective planning permission for the "incongruous" doors on a number of homes on the road, saying they "harm the appearance and special architectural interest" of the properties.
Council's Stance and Residents' Reactions
A source close to Ronnie quipped: "The council does not like your door being painted a different colour. They like them black." It is understood the musician believed he was complying with regulations when he painted the front door pink, while leaving the gates black. The insider went on: "Then someone took a photo of the door and said, 'You can't have it that colour'. Ronnie applied to the council and it agreed, 'No, you can't have that colour – paint it black'. It's annoying."
Ronnie, a father-of-six, married theatre producer wife Sally in 2012 some three years after divorcing his second wife Jo Wood, who he was with for 24 years. The guitarist is among a number of affluent neighbours who have been targeted by council regulations.
Another resident, Angela Allen, 97, says she was among the first in the street to be ordered to change the colour of her door. Ms Allen is a Bafta-winning continuity supervisor who worked on classic films such as The Third Man and The African Queen. She described being at loggerheads with the council to retain her original blue before being forced to redecorate or face a £30,000 fine. She said: "I'm 97 but I still argue with the council. A neighbour had a shocking pink door and a lady further down had blue because she liked our blue. I asked the council about the colour before I painted it five years ago, so it's taken five years for them to get back."
Other householders are also said to be disappointed at the order to repaint their brightly-coloured doors in favour of sombre hues such as black.
Council's Response
A council spokesperson said: "These properties form part of a distinctive group of listed buildings within a conservation area, and we have advised residents that changes affecting their historic character may require consent. Residents are able to submit an application for the works to be formally considered."
