Yahoo News Plan to revive century-old village maypole axed after just ONE complaint about planning permission
An English village has been forced to put an end to maypole dancing after centuries of tradition – because of ONE complaint about the pole not having planning permission.
Locals in Bream have been holding festivities around its pole since the 17th century and the village has a Maypole Cottage, a Maypole estate and a Maypole Road.
The original pole stood there until 1925 when it was taken down because it stood in the middle of a horse junction – and was getting in the way of newly-invented motor cars.
The patch of land and a new pole was recently reinstated is the garden of the New Inn, a 15th-Century former police station owned by businessman Bill Parker.
But within days of the new pole being up and amid excitement about the first May Day pole dance for nearly a century – it had to be taken down.
Forest of Dean Council received a single complaint about the Maypole requiring planning permission.
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The complainant said it needs planning permission because it was in front of the Grade II listed building – and could be deemed an eyesore.
Villagers kept it up until May Day and held a ‘dance of defiance’ in protest around the 50ft high technicolour maypole.
Bill, who runs a steam engineer repair shop, said: ‘I understand it’s their job to investigate.
‘’But it’s sad that one complaint can put at risk such a long-standing tradition which is so much fun.
‘Unfortunately one person complained. The council say I should have had planning permission and listed building consent.
‘This is the traditional maypole area in the old part of the village.
‘’The maypole was sited just yards away at the junction, and Maypole Cottage is just over the road, and the Maypole estate over there.
‘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.’
