Progress Pride flag can be flown above council HQ

A Progress Pride flag can go on display above a council building despite opposition.

People of colour in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the trans community and those living with HIV/AIDS are represented by the flag, which includes the colours of the standard Pride flag, as well as a triangle with extra colours.

Wiltshire Council received 369 objections to its application to fly the flag at County Hall for five days a year, while 163 offered their support.

Approving the application, the local authority's planning committee said there were no technical planning reasons to reject the application, but some members said the emotive debate around the flag put them in a difficult position.

The application was for a 2.6m (8.5 ft) wide flag to be flown on a 10m tall flagpole for five days of the year, potentially during Pride Month in June.

Councillor Ernie Clark said he was happy to support the proposal as a planning committee member as it met planning requirements, but added it should go to a full council meeting due to what it represents.

"I can see no reason why we shouldn't permit it. Whether or not we agree with what the flag stands for, from a purely planning committee point of view I can't see a reason to refuse it. Currently I'm happy to vote yes."

Councillor Stewart Palmen, who chairs the committee, said: "I can't see a planning reason to reject this irrespective of what the symbolism of the flag is."

The planning committee discussed the application on Wednesday and scrutinised the practical aspects of flying the flag, including whether the bright colours could be distracting to drivers on nearby roads.

Councillor Liz Alstrom said the local authority had "clear commitments to building inclusive communities".

Ellen King, a trustee of Pride in Chippenham, said visibility was "what is going to make the world safer for members of the LGBTQ+ community".

But some people were concerned the flag was not inclusive to everybody.

Opposing the application, Nick Botterill from the Melksham and Devizes Conservative Association, said the council had handled the issue "terribly".

"Flags we should fly are the ones that represent everybody. The council is there to unify," he said.

Botterill said he believed the council had made "the debate all about fragmentation and not unity".

Resident Tanya Maidment also spoke against the application and said flying the flag meant "endorsing one perspective" about gender.

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