Devizes couple Ian and Sarah Wixon have fallen foul of Wiltshire Council’s planning rules by painting their house blue.

They chose the colour Lunar Landscape Blue for their Grade II listed townhouse in the Long Street conservation area but Wiltshire Council says they should have asked for permission first.

Its officers have told the couple the painting was unauthorised and the walls should be returned to the original colour of cream.

Mr Wixon, an accounts clerk, has applied for retrospective listed building consent. In his planning application he says he repainted the walls because there was a damp problem in the part of the house that fronts Bridewell Street and was advised to use a quality masonry paint to repair the cracked render.

Mr Wixon, 46, said: “Having looked down the street at the various colour schemes we opted for a light blue. We believe the colour chosen is in keeping with its surrounds. It may appear a little bright on initial inspection but it will weather down in the way the rest of the street has over time.

“We are informed by the older generation the property has been blue in the past and was also green at one stage. Although we have received a few negative comments these are far outweighed by those with favourable views.”

Mr and Mrs Wixon have lived in the house since March last year and Mr Wixon added: “There are some really nice buildings in this town which are crumbling, such as the Assize Courts, and I think they are more important than the colour of my house.

“I understand I have to conform to certain things living in a conservation area but I think the colour is in keeping.”

Friend David Reed, 48, a supervisor of Mayenne Place, is supporting Mr and Mrs Wixon with a Facebook page which now has more than 90 members. Mr Reed’s son, Jonathan, 22, has started a Facebook petition to keep the colour blue.

David Reed said: “If you look at the row of houses in Long Street I don’t think Ian and Sarah’s house looks out of place. I can’t see what the council’s problem is. I think there has been one negative comment out of about 93 people who have joined the Facebook page.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “Buildings such as this are listed in order to preserve their architectural and historical importance.

“People should always seek permission before making changes which will affect the special features of these buildings and our planning experts are on hand to give advice on these matters.”

The Trust for Devizes has not objected to the colour although chairman Ted East said a few members thought it was garish.

Devizes Town Council’s planning committee raised no objections to the colour when it considered the plan on Tuesday night.