Four years after it was first adopted by Devonians as their county emblem, the Devon flag is set to fly proudly from Devon County Council's headquarters in Exeter. The distinctive green, white and black flag is to be hoisted above County Hall for the first time in defiance of a new Government ruling. Guidelines issued by Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper confirm that planning permission is required to fly anything other than a 'national' flag from a flag pole. The guidance includes a slight relaxation of the controversial rules governing the flying of flags. But although the EU flag, the United Nations flag and the Commonwealth flag have been added to the list of "national" flags that can be flown without permission, neither the Devon nor Cornish emblems are exempt.  | | A Devon Flag alongside a Union Flag |
The decision means that hundreds of homeowners and business people flying the Devon flag without planning permission could face enforcement action and fines. The guidance supersedes informal advice given by the former Planning Minister Keith Hill two years ago. In the face of a major backlash over the rules, Mr Hill suggested that local councils might turn a blind eye to the "illegal" flying of the Devon and Cornish flags. The Devon flag has proved increasingly popular since it was first created by users of the BBC Devon website in June 2002. Only now, four years later, has it won the official seal of approval from Devon County Council. As a show of support, the council's executive decided the Devon flag should be flown at its headquarters in Exeter as soon as possible. Cornwall County Council has been flying the St Piran flag since the early 1980s, so far without being taken to task. Brian Greenslade, leader of the council, told the BBC: "This seems an absolute nonsense, something like the Devon flag surely isn't something you should need planning permission to fly. "That's why we'll be running it up at County Hall just to make the point. I think people in Devon would very much agree with us. Sometimes county council's like Devon have to take a lead. "I'd be very surprise if district council's in Devon took any action. They would find themselves not particularly popular with the community in Devon if they tried to take enforcement action. "We fly various flags on special occasions, including the European Union flag, the Devon crest and the Union Jack. I believe we only have one flagpole at County Hall, but I think to promote the identity of Devon maybe we should be looking at a further flagpole or two." Former Dartmouth ferryman Kevin Pyne, who flew the first ever Devon flag, said he had previously received a letter from the government suggesting it would look favourably on Devon's case. He said: "The Devon flag is a simple, honest flag that pays respect to Devon's past Celtic history. It does no harm to anyone. "All this is is another tax. The local authorities will say yes to all the applications and charge you £50 for the privilege. It is ridiculous." The rules governing flags were originally devised in the early 1990s to prevent a proliferation of flags carrying advertising. Any national flag - including those of England, Wales and Scotland - may be flown with impunity, but all others are treated as advertisements and require planning permission. The new guidance, which will be subject to a three-month consultation, is designed to update the rules. County Hall flag photo courtesy: James Breedon/Western Morning News | 
