Maypole row over pole that requires planning permission

A maypole row has taken hold of a town which has held dances since the 17th century after it was told its current pole requires planning permission.

Locals in Bream, Gloucestershire, which was once home to 18 maypoles and even has a Maypole Cottage, a Maypole estate and a Maypole Road, held a “dance of defiance” in protest around the 50ft high technicolour maypole before it was taken down.

The pole had been planted in the garden of the New Inn, a 15th-Century former police station owned by Bill Parker, who also owns a steam engineer repair shop.

However within days of the new pole being erected and amid excitement about the first May Day pole dance for nearly a century - it had to be removed after the Forest of Dean Council received a complaint which stated the Maypole required planning permission due to its placement in front of the Grade II listed building. It was also suggested that it could be deemed an eyesore.

Mr Parker said: "This is the traditional maypole area in the old part of the village.

"I'm hoping I can then get everyone on-side and put it up again. If necessary, I'll apply for planning permission.”

The new pole was carved from a Douglas fir tree and painted by the Bream Gardening Society.

A Forest of Dean Council spokesperson said: "The maypole is currently being investigated by our planning enforcement team. No decisions have been made."

There used to be as many as 18 maypoles in the Forest of Dean.

Local resident Stuart Cox said: "We're supporting the event as there aren't many maypoles left and this maypole should be allowed to remain. It's great fun, it's colourful and keeps the old traditions going.

"I don't see how anyone can complain about it. Hopefully it can get retrospective planning permission."

Margaret Kidby, of Bream Gardening Society, added: "It would be a real shame if it had to go after so many people have worked so hard to put it up again. It's attractive and dancing around the maypole on May Day is a wonderful tradition, which is worth keeping."