Kensington Neighbours See Red Over Stripy House

The owners of a London townhouse in an exclusive neighbourhood have infuriated neighbours by painting it in "garish" candy stripes.

The multimillion-pound house received its makeover shortly after an application to demolish it and build a new house with a two-storey basement was turned down by Kensington and Chelsea Council.

It seems as though the owner - or owners - took revenge on their critics by painting their property with red and white stripes - an act that does not require permission from the council.

Neighbours in what is one of London's richest areas are not accepting the matter with good grace and are appealing to the High Court.

Saskia Moyle, 18, who lives with her father opposite the colourful house, spoke of her shock when she saw the painting in progress.

"I went out for dinner one evening about a month ago and when I came back there were people on ladders painting it," she said.

"They didn't finish one of the stripes because as soon as I arrived they got off the ladders and left.

"I don't think it belongs here. It kind of glows in the evening. It's fluorescent. And the half-finished stripe is driving me mad. It drives me insane."

She added: "It's very fluorescent and very garish. Without sounding very pretentious it isn't very Kensington. It's more Camden or something like that."

Pressed further on whether if she liked the design or thought it a tacky monstrosity, she laughed, saying: "I think tacky monstrosity, we all hate it."

Another neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, described the work as "horrendous".

She said: "It's between unbelievably hideous and very funny. I think it's horrendous."

"It's funny but it's probably not the nicest gesture. It's kind of a 'p*** off' I think.

"Architecturally it doesn't belong here. It is pretty hideous."

She went on: "I obviously don't want anyone to dig down with all the builders, it would be a living hell.

"I work from home and so am here all day.

"Clearly we don't have enough billionaires in the area - we need more."