Suggestion: cant place flag at the protected_area_above_flag option
Current implementation prevents blocks from being placed above flags based on protected area, but still lets flags be placed below blocks. Flag should (either config for turning this true or false or just hard coded) be prevented from being placed if there are blocks in that protected area above flag zone. Current implementation means players can still place flags in caves/buildings which could be problematic for some servers.
This aspect used to be a feature but it became too exploitable. Using the protected height might be an idea.
I know that the depth allowance was the work around.
problem with the depth allowance for me is that my world is custom and some normal parts of the map are lower than other areas that would have caves and other structures. Id either have to set the depth higher than some towns would be at or risk people being able to abuse by placing claims below towns.