Objections to plans to fly pride flag outside Bracknell council

Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee will decide to display the LGBTQ+ celebration flag during the pride month of June in years to come. This would be on the existing flagpole outside Times Square, the headquarters of Bracknell Forest Council.

The application has been reported to the planning committee following the receipt of 12 objections. Council rules indicate that the authority must take decisions to the committee if receiving more than five objections.

The proposed flag requires ‘express consent’ because it does not come under a group of flags permitted to be flown by a local authority. This is because it is a newer version of the pride flag, with more inclusivity towards a wider variety of groups including the transgender community, those living with HIV/Aids, and people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community.

New black, brown, pink, pale blue, and white stripes displayed as an arrow to the left of the classic rainbow stripes represent these communities.

The design of the Pride Progress Flag (Image: Bracknell Forest Council)But some people have raised objections to the plans, claiming that the flag is unnecessary, divisive, and inflammatory.

Others have said that instead of the Pride flag, the union flag should be flown at all times as it is ‘inclusive’ and that by displaying the flag, the council is ‘not maintaining a stance of neutrality’.

Some also have argued that if approved, this ‘sets a precedent for other flags to be flown representing other groups’.

Pride month is celebrated every June across the world as it was the month that Stonewall riots took place in the USA in 1969.

The first Pride march took place in the UK in 1972, when an estimated 1,000 people marched from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park.

Bracknell Forest Council holds an annual pride event, with free music, entertainment and access to support and advice organisations.

The council says that pride is a ‘visible, supported and joyous event’ which shows a ‘beautiful, diverse and welcomed community’ to Bracknell Forest.

In a report ahead of the planning committee, council officers have noted that the proposed flag would not ‘impact on the existing character and appearance of the area’, as a flag is mounted on the same flagpole for the majority of the year.

Similarly, this would not impact on neighbouring amenity or highway safety, the report states.

Based on these factors, officers have recommended conditional approval, and council members will make a decision on October 10.