Hot pink shopfront repainted after council steps in
A Grade II listed building on Dial Lane was repainted from hot pink to burgundy within days after Ipswich Borough Council contacted the tenant, with a retrospective listed building consent application now expected.
Why it matters: 14 Dial Lane is a listed building, meaning any changes affecting its character, including its exterior colour, normally require formal consent before work goes ahead.
The details: The unit, formerly home to Zeebra Chic, had stood empty for some time before work began on the property a couple of weeks ago. The shopfront was painted a bright pink, prompting comment locally about what business might be moving in.
- Listed building consent had not been obtained before the work took place. The Council says it was made aware of the works on Tuesday, 11 August, and immediately contacted the tenant, who has since repainted the frontage burgundy.
- The Council now expects a retrospective listed building consent application, used to formally assess unauthorised work after it has already happened.
What they're saying: Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: "The Council was made aware of the works at 14 Dial Lane on Tuesday 11 August and immediately contacted the tenant.
"The tenant has subsequently painted the shop frontage in a more appropriate colour.
"The Council is maintaining a productive dialogue with the tenant about all the works being undertaken to the building. We expect to receive a retrospective application for Listed Building Consent to regularise the works already undertaken. This will enable the Council to formally assess the impact of the works on the building's special architectural and historic interest and determine whether they should be retained, amended or reversed.
"We are pleased the tenant has been so keen to put things right once the Council contacted them."
The bottom line: A quick lick of paint on a historic Dial Lane building has become a matter for the Council's planning process, pending a retrospective consent application.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£27 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line