A property developer from Derbyshire has erected a huge 100-foot Union Jack after a council forced him to take down a smaller version that breached planning rules. James Holmes installed an 11-metre flag on the side of the former North East Derbyshire District Council building in Saltergate, Chesterfield, in September. Chesterfield Borough Council ordered him to take it down on the grounds that it was an “unauthorised advertisement” because it promoted a website linked to Mr Holmes’s Fly the Flag campaign, aimed at “encouraging every UK resident to proudly fly the Union Jack”.
In response, the developer has printed an even larger flag, spanning 100 feet, at a personal cost of £3,000 to hang on the structure, which he owns. The local authority confirmed that it won’t be removing the larger installation. “The flag was a mistake – I should have made it bigger,” Mr Holmes said.
He told the BBC: “I could have had it two metres bigger [and it would] still fit on that part of the building. I might order another one now for the other half of the building as well.
“The flag brightens up the street because the sun is always on this side, which always looks great.”
Recognising the media attention focused on the town as a result of the display, he added: “It was never meant to be controversial, but clearly, other than the crooked spire, Chesterfield right at this moment is more famous for this flag.”
Union Jacks and St George’s flags have been attached to railings, flagposts, signs and structures all over the country in recent months in a campaign known as Operation Raise the Colours.
While some participants have insisted the displays are simply expressions of patriotism, critics have accused the campaign of racism and xenophobia.
The widespread flag-flying has also caused tensions at a local level, with several councils removing them from public infrastructure, citing public safety concerns.
A spokesperson for Chesterfield Borough Council said: “It’s evident that Mr Holmes is keen to recognise our national period of Remembrance, which is something we also value highly as a council.
“We did contact Mr Holmes in relation to the previous union flags on the front, and on top of the building, as these advertised a commercial website and are therefore classed as unauthorised advertisements.
“We intend to take enforcement action if the remaining unauthorised advertisement is not removed.”
