Kent County Council has been ordered to paint CCTV cameras the colour of bricks after installing them on a historic building without permission.

Heritage campaigners fought for the remedial action after the “visually obtrusive” security equipment was erected at the Grade II-listed Folkestone Library, which has been closed since 2022.

Historic England condemned KCC after the white cameras were put up without listed building consent, arguing the surveillance devices should match the colour of the surrounding brickwork.

It made its case to Folkestone and Hythe District Council after planning officers at County Hall were forced to submit a retrospective application for permission.

A representative for the government heritage body wrote: “The colour and location of some of the cameras does cause some harm to the architectural qualities of the building.

“This is chiefly because the cameras are visually obtrusive features which detract from an appreciation of the building and its notable architectural detailing.”

Historic England added it was “unfortunate” KCC did not obtain the required consent to install the cameras, but “understands there is a need to protect the building which is vulnerable while it is temporarily closed”.

Folkestone Library has been shut since December 2022 after water damaged the building.

One of many people fighting for its future as part of the Save Our Library (SOL) campaign is Jon O’Connor, who believes the cameras need to be painted.

He says they have been “felt by many to be a visible symptom of the neglect of this classic building in our community”.

“The fundamental issue is about the primary responsibility of the county council for the building and the library service provided - which we are pleased to say is a point accepted on the record by the relevant KCC Cabinet committee,” he said.

“The next step is to encourage KCC to give this the serious consideration it deserves.

“We are hopeful that there will be further news on this in a matter of weeks.”

Mark Hourahane, of the New Folkestone Society – a charity set up to conserve and enhance the town – says painting the cameras “reduces the harm” to the library.

He added: “There is public benefit in that the building, whilst unoccupied, will be protected from vandalism and unauthorized entry.”

KCC says the CCTV cameras were installed as an “additional security measure at the site”.

A spokesman added: “A retrospective planning application was submitted to FHDC, which it subsequently approved on the basis the cameras are painted to match the brickwork. This will be completed in due course.”

KCC has until the end of February to carry out the work.

Meanwhile, FHDC has confirmed it is working on a possible solution for the future of the library and hopes to announce further details soon.

In November, a temporary library opened at the Shepway Youth Club in Folkestone town centre, close to the existing site.