Harbour flags make Porthleven look like 'Blackpool' (From Falmouth Packet)

Harbour flags make Porthleven look like 'Blackpool'

11:40am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Helston

Flags put up on Porthleven’s Harbour Head have been compared to “the opening of a holiday park” and reminiscent of “Blackpool”.

Mayor Mark Berryman told fellow members of Porthleven Town Council that he had received 15 or 16 negative remarks about the seven flags that have been put up by Trevor Obsorne.

His comments came as member discussed a retrospective planning application for the flags, which are already flying from 5m flagpoles.

The application was for one flag to display the Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company logo, four to show local designs such as the Institute and seagulls, one the St Pirran’s Flag and one the Union Flag.

Members were unhappy that this was the second retrospective application from the same applicant in two months.

Mr Berryman also said he had heard a range of negative comments, including “It’s Porthleven, not Blackpool” and saying the flags looked “like the opening of a holiday park.”

There was also a discussion about a “breach of flag etiquette,” which frowns upon the flying of the Union Flag at night unless properly illuminated.

However, it is understood that since the council meeting last Thursday the Union Flag has been taken down. Council members did not object to the flags, but asked the planning officer to meet with the developer to discuss a reduction in the number of flags, perhaps to five or six.