Park’s pink benches in red-tape wrangle
Brushes to come out again after colour complaints
Benches in Dunblane’s Haugh parkland are being repainted after their new pink hues failed to meet “approved” colours.
In September, the midweek volunteer group of the Dunblane Development Trust spent several weeks restoring the public seating at the site, which includes the planted war memorial garden.
The volunteers were originally only expecting to use pink as the undercoat, but when they received positive comments about the colour they decided not to change it .
The community, however, was divided over the bubble gum tones and while some loved the new look, others felt strongly enough to complain to Stirling Council.
Pink turned out not to be on the council’s list of approved paint colours - most of which were more muted.
The benches have since been removed so they can be repainted and returned in time for Remembrance Sunday.
Dunblane Tory councillor Alastair Majury said: “The DDT’s midweek group do a fantastic job in Dunblane, doing many tasks including maintaining public seating, repainting the centre and riverside railings, improving play parks and much more.
“The council has assured that the benches will be returned in time for the important Remembrance Sunday service.
“I have asked Land Services to arrange a meeting with community groups regarding the issue of what colours are approved or not. Most people will have no idea that there was such a thing as approved colours for benches.”
The removal has prompted a mixed response from the community, with several social media comments relating to the duplication in effort as the benches will be have been painted twice.
Other have been hoping that the removal indicated they were being repainted, however many liked the pink colour and are disappointed to discover it will be changed.
Ann Robertson said: “The volunteers spent a lot of time painting them. Maybe not to everyone’s taste but certainly colourful.”
Nora Gilfillan added: “I thought they were beautiful and fun - a change from black or dark green. It is the first time in my life that I ever stopped and took photos of park benches. It was a lovely sunny day and they made me smile. With all the beautiful pink and purple flowers around they looked great.”
A council spokesman said: “The council has no policy on the colour of benches but the preferred colour is black.
“The benches in Dunblane’s Haugh will be put back in place this week in time for Remembrance Sunday.”