Westminster City Council has ordered Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood to repaint the bright pink front door of his Maida Vale home back to black, citing concerns over the impact of vibrant colours on the historic character of the area. The 79-year-old musician, who purchased the £7 million property in north-west London with his third wife, Sally Humphreys, in 2017, reportedly received the directive after applying for retrospective planning permission to retain the pink hue.

The council has denied similar permission across several residences on the street, describing non-traditional colours as "incongruous" and harmful to the architectural integrity of the neighbourhood. Sources close to Wood said council officials insisted on black doors, referencing the tone mentioned in the Rolling Stones’ 1966 song "Paint It Black." Despite Wood’s attempt to comply by keeping the front gate black, the pink door was nonetheless deemed unacceptable.

Wood’s neighbours have faced comparable disputes with local regulators. Among them is Angela Allen, an award-winning film continuity supervisor aged 97, who has engaged in a prolonged battle with the council over the colour of her front door. Allen, known for her work on classic films such as "The Third Man" and "The African Queen," was reportedly compelled to repaint her door after officials threatened a £30,000 fine. She recounted that while she had sought council approval prior to painting her door blue five years ago, enforcement actions have only recently materialised.

Other residents have expressed mixed sentiments regarding the council’s enforcement of traditional aesthetics. David, a local whose door is painted bright orange, acknowledged a personal preference for the vivid tone but conceded that uniformity respects the historic context of homes originally constructed in the 19th century. He indicated a willingness to repaint should the council mandate compliance.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between preserving the architectural heritage of one of London’s most affluent districts and residents’ desires for individual expression in property appearance. Officials from Westminster City Council were approached for comment but had not issued a statement at the time of publication.