Plans to open 'alternative' adult club in Dudley blocked
A leading councillor has told an adult club boss to take his plans 'elsewhere' after his attempt to open a venue catering for erotic and fetish enthusiasts was halted.
Plans to create the Valhalla club, in Dudley, were blocked by councillors to the dismay of its prospective owners who have invested £25,000 in the premises.
Prospective manager, Clive Thomson, today vowed to pursue his plans and appeal Dudley Council's planning committee's decision.
The club's website describes the proposal as an alternative lifestyle members club and photo shoot suite.
It adds it is the Midlands centre for all fetishists 'where the unusual is the norm in a safe and friendly environment'.
Bosses insist it would not be a swingers club and there would be no sexual acts at the site off Dock Lane, opposite Dudley Leisure Centre.
Mr Thomson said he was angry at the council's decision and feels the club has been misrepresented.
"The proposals here are for an alternative lifestyle, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender club," he said.
"I take this decision as an affront on the lesbian and gay communities.
"This is not a lap dancing club or a private members gentlemen club. There won't be any poles. It is a normal bar like any other pub."
Dudley Council received a petition signed by 66 people raising concerns about the proposed club being close to the leisure centre, religious buildings and a primary school.
They added its proposed opening times could result in increased crime and noise from those leaving the club.
Leisure centre manager Meg Dowen said the club's members would use its car park but had no other objections.
Planning committee chairman, Councillor Qadar Zada, said: "From a planning perspective it was rejected because of the impact on residential amenity.
"But for me this is the wrong activity in the wrong place.
"The potential harm outweighs any benefit. In fact I can't think of any benefit this proposal could have.
"The applicant described it as an 'alternative interest club' - well they can take their alternative interests elsewhere."
He added: "People like me would think twice about going to the leisure centre if the club was in place.
"We do not want people discouraged from using that facility - we want the leisure centre to thrive.
"There is also a good chance its users would share the leisure centre car park with people going there. That makes me feel really uncomfortable."
Mr Thomson said the club had its own provision for parking and he would be appealing the committee's decision.
Subscribe to our NewsletterComments for: "Plans to open 'alternative' adult club in Dudley blocked"
charlie.bear.5836
"The proposals here are for an alternative lifestyle, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender club,"
I thought this sort of thing was now the "norm" and may soon become compulsory.
rmpiedra
Why have 'lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender' been mixed up under the same umbrella as 'erotic and fetish enthusiasts'?!
funny old world
Explain.
barbara.lawson.900
Thank goodness common sense prevails. Just another venture to make money out of
People's frailties so sad
funny old world
It appears the same Councillors who approved the mosque are discriminating against gays and lesbians, we can see who's running Dudley Council.
truth sayer
Bang on funny! You could also apply the councillors rationale for refusing the club, for refusing the mosque. Only it's far more relevant for the mosque. Double standards and discrimination. Perhaps the club can be given the mosque site?
Crell
"There is also a good chance its users would share the leisure centre car park with people going there. That makes me feel really uncomfortable." Care to elaborate as to why?
funny old world
It appears some Councillors are showing their bigotry towards this and you can bet these same Councillors shout racist when they don't get their own way.
truth sayer
Its about time the people of dudley realised that if you vote labour you get mosques!
valhalla
Hi All
I am the manager of the Valhalla club, the premises in question.
Just to state some obvious points.
The club has been running for 7 years; it is not new. 2.5 of those years were within 150 yards of the current location in Dudley.
Knowing that there can be prejudice, back in September we put a Pre Planning Document to the Council, detailing all the operations of the club etc.. 2 weeks later they came back to us saying it was acceptable and planning would be granted.
The leisure centre did not object to us opening; it was a formal comment they made asking for clarification,. The highways department looked into it and said as we had our own car park and roadside car parking there would be no problem from our car parking.
The police inspected the premises, child protection, noise, fire and highways were all happy with our facilities.
The councillors in question knew all was agreed and tried to push the parking and lifestyle issues knowing that they were already addressed in previous documents.
They have totally abused their position.
No residents have objected to us, and all that we have spoken to are quite happy for us to open.
The so-called petition raised by certain councillors had names on from 15 miles away, the same handwriting on over and over again, and was called into question by the planning department who said it was unreliable.
Other than that there have been absolutely no objections whatsoever. Just the councillor for whatever reasons he may have that are unknown to us.
Regards
Clive Thomason www.valhalla-club.co.uk
Dudleyboi
Ever been to Dudley town centre? It's dead, no business, no jobs...nothing.
Rather have something like this where people come into the town to spend money, we do not need another Poundland or a Charity Shop
R.Crompton
It's nice how Councillor Zada is freely allowed to spout his bigoted opinions when it comes to alternative communities who wish to have a discrete venue for their lifestyle choices away from the beaten track, but when people place valid objections to his group's wish for a house of worship on a prominent edge-of-centre site that could be so much better suited for commercial development, they're branded as 'racists'?
graduate_mom
Dudley Council employs LGBT staff and hosts an LGBT support network on its intranet. I wonder what those staff would say about this.
The petition is very suspicious. 66 signature most of whom are miles away from the club. And handed in at the eleventh hour. Sabotage tactics?
PSUK
do the councillors actually think people are going to turn up to this club dressed in gimp masks and chains brandishing whips ? it amazes me how people think this type of activity is somehow deviant and dirty when in reality some of their neighbours may be " kinky " and are having to keep their lifestyle secret for fear of disgust and contempt from others in their community when if they had been gay or a different religion / colour etc it would be seen as wrong and they would be up in arms to correct it . I may not have a way with words but I hope I have put my point across .
markandlisa2007
How about if you re propose the ideas but not state for fetishes and erotic enthusiasts but keep it very simple and say its a club aimed for the gay community - I think perhaps a bit too much information is whats putting the council off. If you claim that you want open a social club aimed at the gay community you`ve got more chance of success.
valhalla
Markandlisa
What you have said is exactly the way it was presented. There was no mention of a dungeon, and we are an LGBT club, not a dungeon club. I have no idea who has spread this, and if you look on our site or the planning application, it does not mention a dungeon club or an adult club; just an alternative lifestyle private members club. I can only think that some hidden reasons or prejudices are at play here.