A GOUROCK homeowner has seen his bid to secure retrospective planning permission for a flagpole in his garden rejected.

The six metre tall pole at an address on Victoria Road was labelled a 'visual eyesore' by members of the public after the application was lodged.

Inverclyde Council planners said in their report that the flagpole was an 'unexpected and dominant feature on the streetscape which is incompatible with the character of the surrounding area'.

The homeowner stated in his application that he had been unaware that planning permission was required to erect a flagpole.