Defiant property boss covers old council HQ in massive Union Jack flag after Derbyshire council objection
He’s already spent £15,000 on flags for other projects and says he hasn’t heard yet if the council will try to pull this one down.
A defiant property boss has draped a massive Union Jack flag across a former council HQ – after officials ordered him to tear down a smaller version for breaking planning rules.
The red, white and blue banner now covers the entire side of the old North East Derbyshire District Council building in Chesterfield.
James Holmes, 51, who snapped up the site in 2021 to turn it into flats, says he’s making a stand for British pride.
He’s not doing things by halves – the new flag measures a whopping 100ft (30m) by 24ft (7m).
It replaces an earlier version, half the size, which featured a “Fly the Flag” slogan and QR code.
That one was branded a “large-format advertisement” by Chesterfield Borough Council who ordered it to be removed.
Mr Holmes refused but Mother Nature stepped in when Storm Amy ripped it to shreds earlier this month.
Undeterred, the developer forked out £2,500 on a replacement last Friday (24/10), stripping off the branding to avoid another planning bust-up.
The dad-of-three said: “The wind tore the first one down, but the council were causing trouble too.
“I’ve taken out what they didn’t like – now it’s just the flag. I want people talking about where they can fly it.
“We’ve been indoctrinated to be ashamed of our flag. If you’re ashamed of it, why work hard and pay taxes for your country?”
He’s already spent £15,000 on flags for other projects and says he hasn’t heard yet if the council will try to pull this one down.
He added: “If they want to waste taxpayers’ money chasing me, let’s see how quick they are. Maybe they should do some real work instead.”
Chesterfield Borough Council Statement
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 will soon be installing our much-loved cascade of red poppies down the front of the Town Hall, and the Union Flag will continue to fly proudly above the building – as it does every day of the year. People across Chesterfield borough are invited to come together and pay their respects in our annual Remembrance Day Service and Parade on Sunday November 9.
“The large Union Flag which is currently displayed on the front of Mr Holmes’ building does not breach any planning laws, and therefore the council will not be taking any enforcement action in relation to this matter.
“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.”
*This article has been updated with a statement from Chesterfield Borough Council on October 29.*