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There
is fury across Devon and Cornwall, over laws which make it illegal
to fly county flags.
Now, a South West MP has joined calls for a change in the law to
allow people to fly Devon and Cornwall flags without the need for
planning permission.
Regional flags like those in Devon, devised by BBC Devon Online
users, and Cornwall's flag of St Piran, are classed as advertising
and need consent.
But national flags do not need planning permission to be flown.
The Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Paul Tyler, says the
loophole should be closed.
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| The
Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth proudly flies the Devon flag
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Mr
Tyler said: "I don't see any reason why those who have flags which
demonstrate their loyalty to any part of the United Kingdom shouldn't
be allowed to fly them on an equal basis.
"It should be a level playing field with no planning consent necessary.
"If you want to fly something else which is an advertisement, that's
a bit different."
One proud Devonian who has already fallen foul of the bureaucracy
is Rodney Lock, from Ottery St Mary.
He was told to take his Devon flag down, following a complaint.
"It was a Sunday morning and I had worked hard putting the flag
pole in. I hoisted the flag, and I felt like cracking open the Champagne,"
he said.
"Then three days later I was told by the council to take it
down.
"I was very angry, because I've lived in Devon all my life, in this
area all my life and I was just proud to live here."
East
Devon District Council said it had very little choice and was forced
to take action.
Kate Little, from the council, said: "Once you've got a complaint
you've got a duty to the complainant to follow through.
"If nobody complains, then probably we wouldn't take much action
in relation to it, we would just look the other way".
The council has decided not to take any further action against Mr
Lock but he is still officially flying his flag illegally.
Article first published: 5th December 2004.
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