LIFTON Hall Country House Hotel can stay green — despite objections by the parish council and local residents.

West Devon Borough Council's planning committee on Tuesday decided to let the Grade II listed hotel keep its dark green paint, which was put on top on the traditional white without the consent of the authorities.

Chairman of the parish council Colin Warne, asking the committee to order the building to be re-painted white, said it looked 'more like an army barracks on Salisbury Plain' than a listed building in a conservation area.

Another resident, Bryn Dando, said: 'It has gone against the character of Lifton. People don't like it and there is only one action: it must be re-instated.'

But members voted seven to two in favour of a motion by Cllr Noel Cartwright, seconded by Cllr Sonia Lindsay, to allow the colour change retrospectively.

Cllr Cartwright said that 70 years ago most buildings would not have been white and it was a very subjective judgment they had to make. 'I quite like the effect,' he added.

Cllr Lindsay noted that there were buildings of five different colours within 150 yards of the hotel.

On behalf of the applicants, Peter Rowan said it was not enough to claim that the colour went against the character of the village, the objectors should 'quantify the change in considerable detail'.

Planning officers had suggested allowing the green but ordering the owners, Roy and Jane Emerson, to repaint the window frames cream, but the latter clause was dropped.

Chief planning officer Stephen Gill said the question to be decided was not whether the change had affected the character of the building, but what tangible harm had that change done.

Cllr Dilwyn Hughes said the motion was ludicrous and would 'open the door to anyone to do just what they liked without planning consent'.

He asked how the committee could go against the unanimous decision of the parish council.

Chairman Roger Mathew replied that the parish council were only consultees. 'We don't have to do their bidding,' he said.

The committee heard that there were nine letters of objection and seven of support, but Cllr Mathew said this was not a material factor in the planning decision.

But a retrospective application for a freestanding signboard, measuring approximately two metres square, in the grounds of the hotel was turned down by planners.

They heard it was said to detract from the appearance of the building and harm the conservation area. The owners will be told to remove the sign within two months.

Commenting on the decision to allow the hotel to retain its green look, owner Mrs Janet Emerson said: 'We are very pleased with this result and are relieved that it is over. It has taken a big toll on our spirits.

'We think that if anything the colour has enhanced the Regency look of the property.'

Mrs Emerson added that they would appeal against the refusal of the sign as they felt it was necessary to let people know the hotel was there.