Fresh bid for lap-dancing club

By Benedict O'Connor

A THIRD attempt has been launched to open a lap-dancing club in a Suffolk town.

Two previous planning applications to launch a pole-dancing club and a “gentleman's club” in Newmarket have been thrown out by councillors.

But the company behind the plan to transform a derelict office building in the town's High Street into a private club with semi-nude women dancers has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to have the decision reversed.

Forest Heath District Council has refused all applications to change part of the premises next to nightclub Club M into a lap-dancing venue and there has been an outcry from residents, councillors and police each time the matter is raised.

When the last planning application was submitted in July, Inspector Mick Marriott, of Newmarket police, said he was concerned that such a club might encourage prostitution in the town.

“I have some very strong reservations based on a number of criteria in terms of the impact it may have upon crime and disorder in addition to the problems we already experience, the impact it could have on existing car parking problems and also in terms of prevention of public nuisance,” he added.

Newmarket mayor Michael Jeffries, who objected to the proposals, said he felt a lap-dancing club would make the town “more seedy” and did not think it would bring any benefits to the area.

Residents in The Avenue and surrounding streets have already complained about prostitutes soliciting customers on weekend nights and it was feared the new club would exacerbate the problem.

No-one at Tibbatts Associates, the Birmingham-based design and architectural company behind the latest scheme, was available for comment yesterday.

The appeal will involve written submissions from the council and Tibbatts Associates and a site visit by a planning inspector.

benedict.o'connor@eadt.co.uk