After receiving plans (in quadruplicate) of the edifice and a
great deal of superfluous correspondence having been exchanged, the local Planning Authority has granted my application for permission to erect a summer-house in my garden on one condition—to wit, "that the summer-house be colour-washed or painted a colour to be approved by the County Planning Officer." My house stands in an isolated clearing entirely surrounded by woods, and it will only be possible for non-members of my household to see the summer-house either by trespassing on my land or by flying over it in an aeroplane. In other words, the only person to whom it can make the slightest difference what colour the summer-house is painted is myself. In these circumstances, it seems to me that the local authorities are showing either too little or too much confidence in my good taste. Either a gentleman should be relied on not to turn his summer- house into an eyesore or else—if he can't be trusted that far—the County Planning Officer should have the right to vet his choice of wall-paper, pictures and carpets. I suppose he will, before long.
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