WORRIED villagers last night warned their idyllic village could be ruined by a sex shop operating close to their homes.Villagers said Wickham Market, near Woodbridge, was not a suitable venue for a sex business similar to those found in London or abroad and their rural life would be spoilt by the operation.
By Richard Smith
WORRIED villagers last night warned their idyllic village could be ruined by a sex shop operating close to their homes.
Villagers said Wickham Market, near Woodbridge, was not a suitable venue for a sex business similar to those found in London or abroad and their rural life would be spoilt by the operation.
Now they are going to flood Suffolk Coastal District Council with letters of objection to the plan by three businessmen to open Adam and Eve's Emporium on the Border Cot Lane industrial estate.
The shop would distribute adult goods ordered via the company's website and open in the evening for members to view items. It requires planning permission and a £12,000 licence which will be decided upon by the district council.
The parish council's planning committee last night objected to the proposed business. Councillors argued it was against planning policy and there was insufficient parking for the proposed 3,500 members. They warned there were issues of road safety and residents feared a rise in crime
Beverly Harris, of Wickham Market, told councillors: ''This is a total disturbance of the rural existence. If you want that sort of stuff nip off to Copenhagen, Soho or Amsterdam.''
Cathy Bladen, of Border Cot Lane, Wickham Market, has two children. She said: ''For me it is a very emotive subject. I fear for the safety of my children. It will devalue the character of the village and the moral fibre, and affect our human rights.
''If you encourage extra traffic from 6pm to 10pm there will be a continual movement of cars in that area.''
Villagers warned that teenagers were attracted to the industrial estate and there could be an increase in petty thieving by children curious to view adult sex material.
A prospective tenant of an industrial unit said: ''I believe that because of the nature of it, we will have an opportunist crime element coming in. I fear for the safety and security of our premises and those of our neighbours.''
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