Owners of an upmarket home with an unusual rainbow-coloured canopy have been hit with an enforcement notice after neighbours complained.
The historic Georgian property is located on 'The Paragon' in Clifton, Bristol, which forms part of the city's famous view from the Suspension Bridge.
Businessman Ken Aylmer says he changed the colour of the awning because his family, including daughter Ella, are strong advocates of LGBTQ+ rights and he wanted to thank the NHS for helping a loved one.
But he is now being forced to apply for a retrospective Listed Building application after the local council received a flood of complaints about the repainted canopy - with several saying it was out of keeping with the area's Georgian heritage.
Aylmer, 52, who owns eco deluxe holiday home business Tregulland & Co, said that a rainbow "means different things to different people but it is invariably positive, progressive and inclusive, right back to biblical times".
Reacting to the decision, he told Bristol24/7: "Fair enough, I do understand we should have sought permission.
"And, in simple terms we thought it might put a smile on people’s faces as they look up from the Cumberland Basin.
"We realise the canopy is in the iconic view of Bristol so we do need to think of the heritage of the building but our research showed that the Georgians loved colour, often painting all sorts of lead work in different hues, using the most colourful pigments they had, they used it for clothes and decorations, the past is not a dull colourless sombre place."
As a local row intensifies, the application has 47 letters of support and five objections.
One supporter said it was "trite, at best, and homophobic, at worst" to object to a "minor alteration" to a view "which some people probably thought the Suspension Bridge already spoiled centuries ago"
Another backer said: "I fully support this beautiful addition to Bristol. And as a gay man would be very displeased if it's removed to appease bigoted neighbours."
But not everyone was happy with the plans, as one objector said: "This looks ugly and out of place. The Georgian architecture is spoiled by the clashing, distracting colours.
"I don't thing they've given any evidence that these balconies were painted when the houses were built and it's really not the location to stand out. We all know you can afford millions for a flat like this, but that doesn't give you free license to do what you like.
"It's not even the inclusive gay pride flag colours. Just an excuse to try and stand out as quirky and edgy, with no consideration for the rest of the city."
Another objector added: "I walked through Clifton today and what a horrific sight to look up and see a beautiful listed building with a bright rainbow canopy, surely this can't be allowed. What a eye sore."
But Rory Hume of Moon Design, who is helping with securing the retrospective planning permission, said: "times change and so buildings are required to develop and adapt", highlighting how Bristol has "evolved to include more colour across its city over recent years".
He added that returning the canopy to an "unfinished dull grey appearance, like many of its neighbours" would be a "loss" to the city.
