Bedford Council has unanimously voted for a Borough-wide ‘nil’ policy in relation to sex establishments.
The decision means that if applications for sex clubs are made in the future, the Council is in a much stronger position to refuse them.
The Council’s unanimous vote sends out a clear message about the unsuitability of such premises.
Public support
Ex-councillor Peter Chiswell organised a wide-ranging campaign which led to the Council receiving thousands of letters in support of the policy.
Results of surveys carried out by the Council also showed that a majority of people in the area support a nil resolution regarding sex establishments.
At last night’s meeting, several Councillors noted the very strong support from the public and said that it was important to listen to its views. One councillor said he would be very comfortable with the suggested policy.
New policy
A number of applications for sex establishments have been refused by the Council in the last few years, even while there was no policy in place.
The new policy states that “there is no locality in the Borough that is considered appropriate for a Sexual Entertainment Venue.” Potential applicants will now find it much more difficult to have an application approved.
Repeated pattern
Councils refusing applications from sex establishments has become a growing trend across UK cities since new laws gave local authorities more powers to refuse applications.
In the last few years, applications have been refused in Oxford, Maidstone and London as well as Bedford. The Christian Legal Centre has been instrumental in supporting the objectors in each of these cities.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented: “We are massively encouraged by the multiple successes we have seen in opposing sex establishments in city centres.
“It’s great to see local Councils using their new powers for good and responding to people’s concerns about such places. Our city centres should be kept as community spaces where parents can take their children without fear”.
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