Which Flagpole?

[sparkythecat]

I want to erect a 7 metre free standing flagpole in my garden and have already obtained planning consent from the local authority. I want one with an internal halyard system, so a woooden pole isn't an option but I'm unsure whether to buy an aluminium or fibreglass pole.

I wondered if anyone on here had any experience of buying or erecting such a flagpole and had any recommendations ?.

[Vipers]

With an internal halyard, how do you pull the flag up?

[BatleyBoy]

I have a flag pole in my garden similar size to the one you have mentioned.

After looking at the available options before purchasing the said pole, I decided on a 3 piece aluminium pole with external rope. It came supplied with an external sleeve so I can take it down for maintenance and to store it away in my garden shed if I want (not that I have so far).

The external rope is not an issue what so ever and it is easy to replace when the time comes.

When erecting they need a proper hole digging and a large amount of concrete to keep it firmly in place. I can't remember the actual dimensions of the hole I dug.....but it was a proper deep and wide hole. I got a mixer for the concrete as there was too much to mix by hand.

I didnt get planning for mine, as you are okay to fly most flags as long as your not advertising something (not sure where my TVR and PH flags fit with this though?!)

I fly 5' x 3' flags as standard and I fly a flag every day. I have several sewn flags, but mostly I fly standard printed nylon flags and just replace them when the wind has blown them to bits.

This is the place i use mostly for my flags: http://www.1000flags.co.uk/ And before you ask.......yes I have bought the Kate and William flag!

I hope this helps.

Cheers. BB

[sparkythecat]

Vipers said:

With an internal halyard, how do you pull the flag up?

You unlock a little flap on the side of the pole, reach in and pull the rope.

The local planning people have insisted upon an internal halyard system to cut down on noise, but it's what I'd have chosen anyway to thwart any would be trophy hunters.

Thanks for your post batleyboy. I had to apply for planning permisssion for some other works anyhow, so just added the flagpole to the application.
AFIAK you do need planning permission for a fixed flagpole. It's classed as a 'miscellaneous structure'.
If you have a flagpole, then you don't need planning consent to fly the union jack but if you fly any flag with an advertisement, then you need a seperate planning consent to fly that particular flag.

I need to dig a hole 1 metre deep and 600mm square to concrete in the foundation bolts

Edited by sparkythecat on Monday 28th March 09:43

[BatleyBoy]

sparkythecat said:

You unlock a little flap on the side of the pole, reach in and pull the rope.

The local planning people have insisted upon an internal halyard system to cut down on noise, but it's what I'd have chosen anyway to thwart any would be trophy hunters.

Thanks for your post batleyboy. I had to apply for planning permisssion for some other works anyhow, so just added the flagpole to the application.
AFIAK you do need planning permission for a fixed flagpole. It's classed as a 'miscellaneous structure'. You don't need planning permisssion to fly the union jack but if you fly any flag with an advertisement, then you do.

I need to dig a hole 1 metre deep and 600mm square to concrete in the foundation bolts

Edited by sparkythecat on Monday 28th March 09:41

I can't say I've noticed any noise with mine Sparky, but good luck with whatever type of pole you go with.

I have to say I love my flag pole; I fly a different flag just about every day. I have a liking for Royal / National Flags, but I like to fly military flags also. This is the one flying proudly today:

[Vipers]

BatleyBoy said:

I can't say I've noticed any noise with mine Sparky, but good luck with whatever type of pole you go with.

If you keep the halyards tight, you shouldn't have any noise, its the slack ones which can start whipping around in a wind.

[pacman1]

Jeez, ain't PH great? We even have a flagpole thread! Fantastic chaps!

[BatleyBoy]

Vipers said:

If you keep the halyards tight, you shouldn't have any noise, its the slack ones which can start whipping around in a wind.

Yep I agree. Keep them nice and tight and no problems at all. Regular use helps also as you are re-tightening them each time you fly another flag.

[Vipers]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

My old man has one at their house he runs the Union or Soltire up on a regular basis.

Nice to see someone doesn't call it a Union Jack, I find that very irritating personally, sad I know, but as an ex communicator in the Navy, I guess its inbuilt.

And as irritating as the Union flags on wooden sticks, which are UPSIDE DOWEN.

[pacman1]

Vipers said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

My old man has one at their house he runs the Union or Soltire up on a regular basis.

Nice to see someone doesn't call it a Union Jack, I find that very irritating personally, sad I know, but as an ex communicator in the Navy, I guess its inbuilt.

And as irritating as the Union flags on wooden sticks, which are UPSIDE DOWEN.

Well said boyo. ARAF!

[Vipers]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Vipers said:

Nice to see someone doesn't call it a Union Jack, I find that very irritating personally, sad I know, but as an ex communicator in the Navy, I guess its inbuilt.

the obvious side step of the trap was obvious wasn't it !

the Old man is ex RNR / Merchant Navy - that one got drummed in to us many years ago

He deserves a pat on the back then.

[Chrisgr31]

Maybe when I do my drive and front garden later in the summer I'll install a base for a flagpole quietly and hope the wife doesnt notice.

Incidentially am I right in thinking that if the pole is fixed to the house and flies the national flag it doesnt need planning?

[davepoth]

We had a "hush hush" visit from North Korea at my work once. However, it's normal practice for us to fly the flag of visitors. Unsurprisingly we didn't have a DPRK flag in stock, and there weren't any for sale.

So in the end we borrowed one from a government department, I think the FCO. The problem was that this flag was 30 feet across, and it was only a 30 feet flagpole. It looked pretty epic when the wind got up, although it must have confused the Americans when they took photos with their satellite...

[BatleyBoy]

Chrisgr31 said:

Maybe when I do my drive and front garden later in the summer I'll install a base for a flagpole quietly and hope the wife doesnt notice.

Incidentially am I right in thinking that if the pole is fixed to the house and flies the national flag it doesnt need planning?

I checked with the local planning office before my flag pole went up. The rules are that if you have a flagpole (either free standing or fixed to your house) then you don't need planning consent as long as you fly things like the Union Flag or Flag of Saint George etc. However if you fly any flag with an advertisement, then you need planning consent.

I have a 'full size' flag pole in my garden and I haven't got planning permission as I fly mostly Royal, National and Military flags (see my earlier post). I do fly seasonal flags at the appropriate times such as 'Happy Christmas' and 'Happy Easter' flags etc, and 'Happy Birthday' flags for my Wife and Kids Birthdays but I'm not quite sure how I stand with planning permission for these, but the neighbours seem alright about it....in fact I think their kids look forward to seeing the seasonal flags as they go up.

Cheers. BB.

PS: Im flying this one today:

[Tanguero]

Hoist your flag, then pass the halyard around the pole once before cleating off. It stops the "thrumming" in the wind that you can get with even a tight halyard.

If I remember rightly the concrete block for my 7m pole was a meter cube. Oh and I used these people http://www.piggotts.co.uk and was very happy with the service.

[sparkythecat]

Tanguero said:

... I used these people http://www.piggotts.co.uk and was very happy with the service.

To date, I've contacted 3 companies who sell flagpoles and Piggots whilst not the cheapest, appear to be the most professional.

With regard to planning consent. It's true that if you already have a flagpole you don't need permission to fly the union flag. However, you may well need planning permission to erect a flagpole on a site where none exists.

The Flagpole Company website said:

Planning permission
• Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, flags come within the definition of "advertisement". Their display is controlled by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992.
• However, under Schedule 2 of the Regulations, the national flag of any country, and this includes the Union flag, is exempt from advertisement control provided each flag is flown from a single vertical flagpole and neither the flag nor the flagpole display any advertisement additional to the design of the flag.

It is recommended that any proposal to erect a flagpole should be submitted to the Planning Department at the Local Authority to ascertain any local regulations.

[BatleyBoy]

sparkythecat said:

Tanguero said:

... I used these people http://www.piggotts.co.uk and was very happy with the service.

To date, I've contacted 3 companies who sell flagpoles and Piggots whilst not the cheapest, appear to be the most professional.

With regard to planning consent. It's true that if you already have a flagpole you don't need permission to fly the union flag. However, you may well need planning permission to erect a flagpole on a site where none exists.

The Flagpole Company website said:

Planning permission
• Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, flags come within the definition of "advertisement". Their display is controlled by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992.
• However, under Schedule 2 of the Regulations, the national flag of any country, and this includes the Union flag, is exempt from advertisement control provided each flag is flown from a single vertical flagpole and neither the flag nor the flagpole display any advertisement additional to the design of the flag.

It is recommended that any proposal to erect a flagpole should be submitted to the Planning Department at the Local Authority to ascertain any local regulations.

Maybe some authorities are more relaxed about the rules than others....maybe planning rules vary from authority to authority?

All I can say for certain is that I called Kirklees Council and spoke to them at length on the subject and the message was clear in that I didn’t need to apply for planning permission to either erect a flag pole or to fly ‘national type’ flags.

The only requirement for planning permission was if I intended fly any flag that is advertising something or another.

With this said I would recommend that if folks are thinking about a flag pole, is for them to simply call their local planning office and get the story right from the horse’s mouth so to speak!

Cheers. BB.

[Tanguero]

That's the same advice that I got from my council. They didn't care if it wasn't flying advertising.

I wonder if a TVR flag on TWs birthday is stretching a point?

[shirt]

BatleyBoy said:

This is the place i use mostly for my flags: http://www.1000flags.co.uk/ And before you ask.......yes I have bought the Kate and William flag!

we deserve a pic of this one flying above chez BB!

[BatleyBoy]

Tanguero said:

That's the same advice that I got from my council. They didn't care if it wasn't flying advertising.

I wonder if a TVR flag on TWs birthday is stretching a point?

I wonder the same when I fly my TVR flag, my Pirate Flag, Japanese flag and PH flag. No complaints so far!
Cheers. BB.