A VILLAGE sweet shop painted pink by its owner has been deemed too sickly by district planners.

Swirleeze, in High Street, Odiham, is being asked to change its shop front to a less “strident” colour by Hart District Council.

But shop owner Molly Reid has been tickled pink by a 700-signature petition supporting her choice of colour.

Mrs Reid told The Gazette: “This isn’t so much about what I think, it’s about what the people of Odiham think, so I started the petition as a way of gauging their reaction. If people didn’t like it we would have changed it in an instant.

“We are not talking about neon lights here – it is a light, pastille pink which I hope brightens up the High Street.”

The store opened in February, and in May, Mrs Reid opted to paint the shop woodwork – but within two weeks council officials got in touch.

Odiham Parish councillor Roger Jones, who has signed the petition, said: “I think planners should be a little more concerned about the wishes of the community. What we have here is many people who think it is splendid and brightens up the High Street.

“This is another example of planning officers knowing the rules but not understanding the area in which they are being applied.”

Robert Jackson, development control manager at Hart District Council, confirmed there had been discussions with the shop owner.

He said: “It is a listed building in a conservation area. We have asked them to repaint it in a colour that is less strident.

“We have spoken to them over the last month or so and are awaiting them to come back to us. If they don’t, we have to consider if a formal notice is necessary.”