Flying flags to be made easier under Government plans

Proposals set out by the Government will allow a much wider range of flags to be flown without the need for planning permission.

Under current planning rules, only a select few flags are allowed to be flown without permission from town hall officials. This can cost pubs up to £335.

Under the new rules, people will be able to fly a much wider range of flags including the flags of football and cricket clubs or town and village flags.

The coalition Government will also make it easier for communities wanting to celebrate the contribution of the armed forces by easing rules on flying local regimental flags. Other local flags, and projects like environmental awards, could also all be freed up from existing bureaucratic restrictions.

Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, said: “If people want to celebrate something that is important to them by flying a flag they should be able to do so without having to fill in forms or paying town hall officials for the privilege. We will make it easier for people to celebrate their allegiance to a cause, a county or a local organisation if they choose to do so.”

Currently the only flags allowed to be flown without consent are any country’s national flag; the European Union; the United Nations; the flag of the Commonwealth; the flag of any English county; and the flag of a patron saint - which can be displayed only in the county with which the saint is associated.

Flags are deemed to be advertisements and their display is controlled by the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2007.