AN Ayrshire resident has revealed he was the subject of an official complaint from his neighbours over claims a flagpole flying the Saltire in his garden is "unsightly".
James Ross from Dundonald has received two complaints from the same household over his flagpole, outside the back of his house.
READ MORE: Protest at Morrisons after manager and customer clash over Union Jackery
The Daily Record reported that neighbours were irked because Ross applied retrospectively to South Ayrshire Council for permission to put up the five metre pole. The neighbours also complained that the structure is “unsightly”.
Ross said that he was not previously aware he had to ask permission from the council and apologised for not doing so.
The neighbours also complained about the "noise nuisance from rattling/whistling and flapping of the flag which casts a moving shadow".
They added that the flagpole would have an "adverse impact on visual amenity" on the area.
However, South Ayrshire Council approved the application, rejecting the neighbours' claims it was unsightly.
READ MORE: Cabinet Office spending on Union flags has quadrupled since last year
The council said: "The proposed flagpole is not considered to have an adverse impact on the visual amenity of the locality."
It added: "It is noted from photographs contained within the submission that the flagpole is adorned with the national flag of Scotland (Saltire).
"The flying of a national flag does not require the benefit of advertisement consent nor planning permission."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel