I can't help wondering whether local authorities shouldn't have some sort of regulation about what colours/patterns you can and cannot have your property painted. It might be your house, and I understand 'an Englishman's home is his castle' and so on, but that is all fine if you live in a field with no nearby neighbours to care one way or another if you paint the Union Flag on the front of your house.
But if a hideous paint job impacts on surrounding properties isn't that almost morally reprehensible?
Of course, there is always the argument about too much regulation and some authorities would likely be more restrictive than others. So it's probably not the answer.
I do feel sorry for the neighbours though (if one can feel sorry for anyone who can afford a £15 million house, that is
)