Don’t get flagged!
Whether we like to admit it or not, St George’s Day is one of the most divisive days in the English calendar and, despite being a day of national celebration, there are – as ever – always rules to be followed!
As many Brits choose to celebrate the day by adorning streets, houses and cars with flags, some could be hit with a pretty hefty penalty fine if they don’t display the flag correctly.
While you might think this comes down to some outdated rule from antiquity, it is in fact a matter of council planning law – what a surprise!
As per council rules, only one flag on a vertical flagpole attached to the roof of a building is allowed.
Meanwhile, the flag is not permitted to be larger than two square metres if it is attached to the side of a building.
This may lead to the council requesting for the flag to be removed.
Refusing to obey these orders could lead to households being reported and fined.
This means for those wanting to display a larger banner, they will need to fly it directly from their roof.
This law is not just limited to the English flag, but all flags in general.
Meanwhile, consent may be needed to fly a flag in a controlled area, like an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Fines can start as low as £100 to £250, with a maximum penalty of £2,500 for continued offences.
Size isn’t the only thing that could land you in trouble, with government guidance disclosing that it is against the law to “display any advertisement or subject matter additional to the design of the flag.”
This is as stated in Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.
It reads: “Neither the flag nor the flagstaff may display any advertisement or subject matter additional to the design of the flag.”
You can read the whole document here is you’re really bored.
It adds: “Two flags on the same flagpole projecting from any part of a building are permitted provided one of the flags is from category (a) (flags which do not need consent) such as a national flag and that flag is flown in the superior position.
“Otherwise, only one flag on a projecting flagpole on a building is permitted. The flag may not exceed 2 square metres in size.”
Well, there you are, by all means celebrate St George’s Day – but celebrate it by being disciplined.
#fined #flying #England #flag #house #today
