An RAF veteran is being threatened with a £2,500 council fine for putting up a flagpole in her own garden.
Janis Patterson, of Northdown Drive, Chilwell, put the pole up in October and started flying a Halloween-themed flag.
She has also flown flags to mark Remembrance Day and wish passers-by a Merry Christmas.
Janis, 64, says she was then shocked to receive a letter on Friday from Broxtowe Borough Council saying she had erected an ‘unauthorised flag’ and faced a fine of up to £2,500 under planning law covering advertisements.
“It’s just a bit of fun, well I thought it was just a bit of fun, I certainly didn’t think I was a criminal,” she said.
The council says Janis is liable for prosecution by the council under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007.
The Act states that no advertisement may be displayed unless consent for its display has been granted by the local planning authority or the Secretary of State, under what is called ‘express consent’.
Janis, a retired member of the Women’s Royal Airforce, said: “Up until the letter it did not dawn on me that I was doing anything wrong”
“What do I do? How can I keep my flags flying, is there a way I can keep my flags flying? because that’s all I want to do.”
Broxtowe Borough Council said it cannot comment on individual circumstances but a spokesman said: “Flagpoles require formal planning permission if they are above a certain height.
“Residents can receive free telephone advice about a flagpole prior to submitting a formal planning application. Once submitted, each application is judging on its own merits and the Council will not pursue any enforcement action while an application is being considered.”
Halloween, Christmas, New Years, and even War Memorial flags are also part of Janis’s flag collection, given by friends including Chrissie Fox.
Chrissie said: “I think it is really sad, really disappointing, particularity when you think someone has reported her, when you’re thinking what is it causing offence around here?, what is it advertising?, someone is really ‘Scroogified’ to want to report it.
“We know Janis has always wanted a flag pole, and we were so excited to get this flag pole up and now its all gone pear shaped”.
For now Janis says she is planning to take down the flag pole but says she will continue to work with the council to see whether she can have a shorter pole that can only display a St George’s Cross.
