Patriotic gran wins fight against council over flying the Union flag

[-:Undertaker:-]

The job of the council is also to maintain its land. Allotments are for vegetables, not giant flag poles. What if the old lady decided to build a house on her allotment and paint the roof the colours of the Union Flag? Would that be fine? No.

Yes because hoisting the national flag is the same as that.

I bet you're a real laugh Mr Regulation.

It's kinda a tough line about whether the council would have to explicitly ban something, like should they have to say you can't just pour petrol all over your allotment?

In the context of an allotment a flag-pole is not necessary and can have a detrimental effect on others (e.g. by casting a shadow), simultaneously the land is only rented and displaying a political flag could violate laws on advertising.

Nobody had a problem with it. Except the jobsworth council.

[GommeInc]

It's kinda a tough line about whether the council would have to explicitly ban something, like should they have to say you can't just pour petrol all over your allotment?

In the context of an allotment a flag-pole is not necessary and can have a detrimental effect on others (e.g. by casting a shadow), simultaneously the land is only rented and displaying a political flag could violate laws on advertising.

Because the former would be criminal damage as you do not own the land, you only own a share in space and time and the latter is contestable. A flag pole is not necessary but allotment owners are allowed to decorate their allotments - loads I have seen have teddies, solar powered ornaments and flags. What you mentioned about advertising is interesting - as that is the only thing that really sticks out. Presumably the allotment isn't situated somewhere where the banner would be a problem, or the council have their own rules about being politically neutral (perhaps removing it would be seen as bias?).

[AgnesIO]

Yes because hoisting the national flag is the same as that.

I bet you're a real laugh Mr Regulation.



Nobody had a problem with it. Except the jobsworth council.

I strive to be successful, not the village idiot.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Because the former would be criminal damage as you do not own the land, you only own a share in space and time and the latter is contestable. A flag pole is not necessary but allotment owners are allowed to decorate their allotments - loads I have seen have teddies, solar powered ornaments and flags. What you mentioned about advertising is interesting - as that is the only thing that really sticks out. Presumably the allotment isn't situated somewhere where the banner would be a problem, or the council have their own rules about being politically neutral (perhaps removing it would be seen as bias?).

Exactly.

On the advertising point, I looked into this a while ago and not sure when on council land but you are allowed to display political banners/flags etc during an election campaign where as if it's say permanent or a non-political advertisement then you need permission from the council nazis.

I strive to be successful, not the village idiot.

As I said, a right giggle and up for fun.