A FARMER who painted his barn bright red and blue in one of the country's most famous landscape views is to be forced to tone it down.

Thomas Wharton farms at Kirfit Hall at Casterton in the famously idyllic rural landscape known as Ruskin's View.

The scene was immortalised by the 19th century painter J.M.W. Turner, and described by John Ruskin himself as: "One of the loveliest scenes in England therefore in the world. I do not know in all my country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine."

Mr Wharton was accused of spoiling the view when he painted bright stripes in red and blue across the end of his barn as a protest after being refused planning permission to convert the barn into accommodation.

His pastoral paintbrush protest proved so controversial it even hit the national newspaper headlines.

At the time, South Lakeland District Council was unsure about whether it had any powers to compel Mr Wharton to tone down his barn. But at a meeting of the planning committee this week, members were told that, under section 215 of the 1990 Planning Act, they could force Mr Wharton to re-paint his barn as it was damaging visual amenity.

The planning committee considered "that the amenity and character of the area as a whole outweighs any infringements over the enjoyment of the individual's personal property rights", and Mr Wharton will now be told that he must paint the offending barn either green or grey to blend in with its surroundings.

Once officers have served the notice, Mr Wharton will have 28 days to comply with the order or could find himself in front of magistrates.

Three days after the planning meeting, Mr Wharton was unaware of the impending enforcement action. When the Gazette told him of the council's decision, he said: "They'll be lucky, lambing starts this week, I don't know when they expect me to do this." Mr Wharton could not say what he would do until he received formal notification of enforcement action from the council.