THE owner of an historic home in the pretty fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay on the North Yorkshire coast who had painted it yellow has won her planning appeal to keep the colour scheme.

Jean Mellalieu had been told by North York Moors National Park authority planners that she must change the colour of her 17th century three-storey house, because it was in a conservation area and the primrose yellow colouring was "harmful to the character of the building and its setting."

The planners said it gave the house "an excessively contemporary appearance."

But a Department of the Environment inspector has over-ruled the authority, following Mrs Mellalieu's appeal.

The department in a report says the colour is "warm" and provides the building with a focal point.

"It gives it an attractive and cheerful appearance," says the report.

Mrs Mellelieu said: "I'm delighted with the outcome. It cost me £2,000 to give the house a much-needed new coat of paint. I had great support from the villagers and I'm very grateful".

Updated: 09:56 Thursday, December 27, 2001