The row over Tenterden’s pink pub rumbles on – nearly two years after the Woolpack was painted a delicate hue.

Landlord Rob Cowan painted the outside of the 15th century building in Tenterden High Street in 2014.

But he was quickly ordered by Ashford Borough Council to repaint the 500-year-old premises or apply for planning permission as the Woolpack was a listed building and he had not asked for consent to do the work.

An enforcement notice was issued forcing him to do the work, which Mr Cowan appealed against in February 2015. He is still waiting for a decision from the Planning Inspectorate.

“It is very frustrating,” he said. “We painted the pub nearly two years ago and would normally have repainted it last spring as it is an annual thing, but didn’t because I didn’t want to complicate things.

“We want to move on and not knowing is very frustrating.”

A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate said the delay had been in appointing a qualified inspector. This had now been done and a site visit had been provisionally scheduled for the week beginning Monday, February 8.

Mr Cowan said that not knowing if the colour was acceptable had been getting in the way of decisions.

“We want to know where we stand,” he said. “I did not think it would take a year to determine and it is always on my mind."

“People are always asking what is happening and are puzzled by the process and amount of tax payers’ money that is being spent on something that seems quite straightforward.”

The Planning Inspectorate spokesman said it was aware of the delay and was working to resolve the issue.

“The reason for the delay has been getting a suitably qualified inspector to view the pub,” he said. “We are looking towards a site visit in early February.

“Once that has been done, the inspector will look at the written representations from both sides and a decision will follow shortly after.

“We are aware the length of time this is taking is not good enough.

“We are recruiting and training more inspectors, but it is specialist work and delays are happening.

“In this case, it is because the Woolpack is a listed building.

“Listed buildings do have special planning regulations attached to them and specialist inspectors are needed.”

He said that work had been going on with the written representations from both Mr Cowan and Ashford council.

“Things are moving, but not as quickly as people would wish,” he added.