Battle lines drawn in Ashtead over a £5 pirate flag

11:20am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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Pirates and especially their flags are particularly unwelcome in Ashtead it seems.

Despite it being someway from the nearest dock or treasure island, battle lines are being drawn in Purcell Close.

"It comes down to a neighbour dispute at the end of the day, but I find it unbelievable that the council would prosecute me over a £5 flag."

David Waterman

David Waterman had been happily flying the pirate flag outside his home since March when he received a letter on April 21 from Mole Valley District Council telling him he needed permission for the flag.

The letter, from the council's senior planning enforcement officer, warned the 41-year-old firefighter that he would need to apply for consent for the skull and crossbones - but it was unlikely, even if he applied - that it would be granted.

It added that if the flag was not removed within seven days he was likely to face prosecution.

The council sent the letter after it received a complaint from a member of the public about the flag at Mr Waterman's house and a similar skull and crossbones at a neighbour's home, which had been erected for a children's party.

Mr Waterman said despite the warning he is determined to fight the matter and has paid £95 to apply for consent.

"The flag is still there," said the dad-of-four, who works at Battersea fire station. "No one ever mentioned anything about it to me in the two months it's been there."

But he said he is now aware neighbours have made comments about it, even telling his ex-partner who lives nearby.

Mr Waterman explained he put up the flag, which he bought from Abracadabra party shop in Ashtead, as a show of resilience after he claimed comments were made about his younger children - aged eight and 10 - playing outside.

"They say my kids make too much noise when they are playing in the garden but they are really well behaved."

He said his neighbour who had a similar flag has replaced his with a Union Jack. The law dictates that people can erect national flags or flags promoting a business at their homes.

"I considered registering a business at my address called Jolly Roger but I can't because it's a rented property.

"I don't expect a favourable outcome but I intend to be resilient and see where it goes from there. It comes down to a neighbour dispute at the end of the day, but I find it unbelievable that the council would prosecute me over a £5 flag."