OFFICIALS at Worcester City Council don't appear to be playing by their own strict planning rules – with their own logos and signs going up at the sparkling new £10.5 million Perdiswell swimming pool WITHOUT planning permission.

The blunder meant the city council's planning committee was asked to vote on what it thought of the signs last week, despite the work already being done.

It comes despite repeated warnings in recent years from the council's own enforcement officer for developers to toe the line on the strict regulations.

The pool, at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, opened to huge fanfare earlier this month, with the council and operators Freedom Leisure keen to have joint branding on it.

But a planning application asking for permission on the size, scale and appearance of all the signage was not ready in time for the opening on Saturday, January 7 – so workers went ahead and finished the job anyway.

Developers who go ahead with work before a planning application is approved run the risk of having to tear it down on the order of a local authority, if it is deemed not good enough – which could apply to anything from signs to a property extension.

No fewer than eight different signs, of various sizes and logos, went up with no prior permission.

They were all voted through by the planning committee – but red-faced city councillors have told their own planning officers to make sure there is no repeat.

Labour Councillor Roger, cabinet member for housing and heritage, said: "I think the final product looks good – the signage adds something to the development.

"I did want the council to have more of a billing, but I'm satisfied with how it looks.

"But all I'd say is 'whoops' – next time get the application in before you finish it."

The city council has previously warned that those who break planning laws run the risk of an enforcement officer being on them like a ton of bricks.

Only last year retailer Sports Direct was fined twice, totalling more than £10,000, for displaying a large illuminated sign without permission at its Worcester store.

The new eight-lane pool has gone down a storm in the city, with people queueing to get inside on the opening day.

But on its second Saturday the pool was forced to shut due to a water shortage.