Northern Ireland

Fears that loyalists' 100ft Co Down flagpole could be permanent

The giant flagpole that towers over the Co Down village of Clough. Picture by Mal McCann
The giant flagpole that towers over the Co Down village of Clough. Picture by Mal McCann The giant flagpole that towers over the Co Down village of Clough. Picture by Mal McCann

THERE are fears a giant flag pole erected by loyalists on the edge of a Co Down village could become a permanent fixture.

The flagpole, which has been described as "an eyesore", is on private land and towers an estimated 100ft over the village of Clough topped with a union flag.

It was erected last year on the Dundrum Road in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Incongruously juxtaposed against the backdrop of Slieve Donard in the distance, the flag and pole are unmissable to motorists heading for the popular seaside resort of Newcastle.

It towers above the village midway between Downpatrick and Castlewellan, that is bedecked with loyalist flags and bunting throughout the year. A small group of loyalists are thought to be responsible for erecting the flags which range from those with paramilitary emblems to others celebrating Rangers FC's title win.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said the flagpole was "unnecessarily large for the setting", which he described as "one of the most stunning in the north".

"The enormous flagpole in Clough is an eyesore," the South Down representative told The Irish News.

"The insistence of some to mark their territory in such an outlandish fashion does nothing for their cause but does create division and bitterness in its wake.

"I believe our future will be best served when we spend time talking and discuss our differences and preparing for our future - not erecting eyesores, ruining our natural beauty and creating community division."

Mr McGrath said he would be surprised if there flagpole had planning approval and that he was concerned that unless some form of enforcement action was taken it could become permanent.

When contacted by The Irish News to establish whether the flagpole had planning approval, a spokesperson for the nationalist-dominated Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said planning approval was not required under Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

According to the council, the regulations state that the "national flag of any country that express consent is not required provided it is displayed on a single flagstaff and neither the flag or the flagstaff display any advertisement or subject matter additional to the design of the flag".

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure said: “The flag pole is erected on private land and is therefore not within the department’s remit – planning permission is a matter for the local council.”