Banners plan ‘ghastly’

THREE brightly-coloured banners the council want to erect on the former Chadderton swimming baths and sports centre have been branded “ghastly”.

A planning application has been submitted for the signs — in the council’s corporate colour of turquoise — to advertise the Middleton Road buildings as a development opportunity.

The largest is 55ftx15ft and they ask potential investors “want to be be part of the journey? Bringing new life to Chadderton”, “Big Development Big opportunity” and “Unique town centre development opportunity”.

The buildings closed when the new Chadderton Well-being Centre opened in Burnley Street a year ago.

The proposals are due to go before the planning committee next month but there are fears the Christmas lights on the building could be obscured if the banners go up before the end of the year.

Councillor David Hibbert also branded them “awful” and “ghastly” and added: “I do not think many people with £50 million to spend burning a hole in their pocket are going to be sat on the number 59 bus going up Manchester Road.”