The district’s planners have approved a plan for a flagpole outside Maison Dieu House in Dover.

The long awaited decision was made at a planning meeting in Whitfield, last night (Thursday).

Councillors followed the officer’s recommendation but did add an informative, suggesting the applicant - Dover Town Council - look again at the siting of the pole, as the committee had concerns.

The application was to site the 6m glass fibre pole within the north east corner, 1m in front on Maison Dieu House and 1m from the side elevation of No1 Biggin Street.

Councillors raised their concerns, saying the siting would lend itself to be climbed and allow access onto the adjacent roof.

Cllr Peter Wallace said: “The position is all wrong. I am worried about the position. I know three people who have been burgled along there.”

He also thinks the public disagree with having it hidden away in the corner.

He said: “I don’t think there’s any public support to have one in the corner, they want one that’s prominent.”

'I don’t think there’s any public support to have one in the corner, they want one that’s prominent.' - Cllr Peter Wallace

Cllr Trevor Bond said: “I’m not happy with the position, I personally think it could go in better places than where it has been recommended.”

Cllr Keith Morris said: “In my personal preference, I would like to see a flagpole in the middle.”

The position of the glass fibre pole has been widely debated.

Some Dovorians, including petitioner Augusta Pearson who has collected 4,500 signatures in support, feel the flag pole should be positioned directly behind the memorial statue.

Others such as Dover Mayor Pam Brivio, who sits on the planning committee but gave her apologies on the night, disagreed.

She believed it would make the flag look like it was emerging from the statue’s head.

The council received 12 letters objecting to the application.

Cllr Bond said: “I'm approving this, at least it gives the town a flag pole and then they can come back and suggest to move it. This town should have a flag pole.

“It’s a government building, it should fly the flag in accordance with flag protocol in this country.”

The strong message will go back to the town council and is likely to be discussed in March’s meeting.

Pam Brivio, mayor of Dover, said: "I am pleased that permission has been granted and the matter can now move forward."

For the full story, see the Dover Mercury, out on Thursday.