I live in an ex-council house and have a pink front door - but my neighbours complained it is 'offensive' and now inspectors are coming round

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A woman has been left in disbelief after her neighbours complained to the council about her pink front door.   

Michelle Whitney, a business owner from Ormskirk, said she received a letter from Lancashire County Council warning that they were sending inspectors to her home after receiving a 'complaint' about the door. 

She uploaded a picture of her pink PVC door online, which was decorated with a baby pink floral wreath and matching garland over the entrance. 

However the council have since released a statement saying the letter is 'not genuine' and they actually think the door is 'rather fabulous'.  

Posting on her TikTok account @bubblebearsboutique, where Michelle runs a personalised gifts business, she said the letter alleged that some residents had found her choice of door colour 'offensive'. 

Michelle Whitney, from Ormskirk, was left in disbelief when she received a letter from the council saying her neighbours found her pink door 'offensive'

The alleged letter said the inspection would take place on March 4 - and Michelle did not need to be present. 

Posting a TikTok video of the letter, Michelle exclaimed: 'Apparently my front door is offensive!' 

The letter seemed to read in full: 'This letter is being sent to inform you of a routine inspection of your property at number [redacted], Ormskirk, after a complaint has been issued regarding your front door, we have been made aware it is offensive to residents.

'The inspection will take place on the 4th of March 2024. You do not need to be present for the inspection.' 

Michelle said the council has since contacted her to reassure her there are no restrictions on her property and that they do not inspect front doors. 

She added: 'My gut is telling me someone has a real vendetta against the pink door!' 

TikTok users were left outraged at what had happened, with many saying that they would also love a pink door on their house. 

One commented: 'As someone that lives in Ormskirk I LOVE your door!' while another said: 'I think it's offensive that there's not a lot of pink doors!' 

A third said: 'Honestly. Some people need to get a life! Your door is beautiful!' 

Michelle uploaded a copy of the letter she said she had received from the council, which said inspectors would be coming round on March 4

One user was more doubtful, saying: 'Admittedly, I have never seen a pink door before, but I certainly wouldn't call it offensive. I'd call it unique.' 

Experts say that councils may slap residents with a fine if colour choices fall outside of an 'accepted' palette - especially in a listed building or conservation area, but rules may vary for each council. 

Refusals to change the colour of the door could even result in a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).  

Andy Simms, trade expert at MyBuilder.com, said: 'While as homeowners we might fancy a wacky door colour, if they offend the neighbours or fall foul of local regulations, you could get yourself in trouble.

'Always consider your community, and if you are asked to make changes to any improvements you have made, or repeated behaviours that are causing annoyance, then make sure you do.

'Being slapped with a CBO or ASBO is no joke - and can even have an effect on property prices in your street.'

TikTok users were left outraged at what had happened, with many saying that they would also love a pink door on their house

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred - as a long term dispute previously saw a Scottish mother be forced to repeatedly repaint her front door.

Miranda Dickson was threatened with a £20,000 fine by the City Of Edinburgh Council when she painted over her white front door to make it pink at Drummond Place. 

Council officials claimed she had breached regulations and that the new door colour was 'not in keeping with the historic character' of the listed building. 

She then painted it green and off-white after repeated complaints. She then received a complaint about the off-white colour. 

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: 'We are aware of a letter being circulated on social media claiming to be from Lancashire County Council following an alleged complaint about an Ormskirk resident's front door.

'We can confirm that this letter is not genuine and we will not be carrying out an inspection at this property on the 4th March or any other date.

'This type of activity is not in the county council's remit and the old branding that's been used to create the letter is a dead giveaway.

'For the record, we do not agree that the door in question is offensive.

'In fact – we think it's rather fabulous.'