Dudley fetish club wins planning battle
A fetish club in Dudley branded ‘incompatible’ by councillors has been given the green light after the owners won an appeal.
Planning permission for Valhalla had twice been thrown out by Dudley Council over concerns about its impact on the community – despite the same council granting it an alcohol licence.
But the Planning Inspectorate has now overturned the ruling and granted planning permission for the venue in Dock Lane.
The club runs events for swingers and ‘alternative lifestyle’ groups.
Inspector JP Roberts said: “The council alleges that the use would be incompatible with the social and cultural cohesion of the community. However, without explanation or evidence, this reason for refusal lacks credibility.
“I have had regard to the petition submitted to the council. I note that few of the signatories live close to the appeal site and many live some miles away. Many of the signatories gave no address or the addresses given were illegible.
“The petition raises concerns about public safety, particularly that of children, crime and disturbance, but provides no explanation as to how such concerns arise from the proposed use, and there is nothing in anything I have read which gives any indication that harm would be caused to social or cultural cohesion.”
The venue’s website describes it as a ‘lifestyle social club’ with a bar, lounge, playrooms, changing rooms, shower and photographic facilities.
Upcoming events include a Foot Fetish Feast and Girls Nite Out. It has already been operating for a number of months but will now become a permanent fixture in the town. Bosses at Valhalla have repeatedly insisted there are no sexual acts carried out at the site but there would be fetish sessions and role play.
A petition of objection signed by 66 residents was handed to the council while more than 30 objections were submitted when the plans resurfaced earlier this year.
In January a separate committee granted the venue a licence to sell alcohol and for live and recorded music.
On the parking concerns, Mr Roberts added: “The site is located in a sustainable area, within walking distance of residential areas and close to public transport links.
“There is off-street parking on Dock Lane should overspill parking be required, which would not result in highway dangers.”
Bosses at Valhalla were unavailable to comment.
Subscribe to our NewsletterComments for: "Dudley fetish club wins planning battle"
Harry100
Let these people have somewhere to go, as long as they are enjoying themselves, and cannot be as bad as some pubs in Dudley.
Jacko
Dudley council seem ok with thousands wandering around the town in burkas and shalwar kameez so what's the problem with a few folks in leather and bondage ? Just another notch in the multi-cultural diversity so beloved of Dudley Council ! Just don't try wearing St George's cross you might end up in clink.
TheMediaCrell
"Bosses at Valhalla were unavailable to comment." Sorry we're all tied up at the moment. Alright, alright... I know it was cheap but I had to lol
Hunwick Wolf
Funny but some of the multicultural people won't agree with this club as its against there beliefs...... How long till its windows are dorbed in paint it's all against our beliefs. Personally if people are not hurting others or causing bother crack on.
Dev1ish
I really don't understand why anyone would object to such an establishment.
If you enjoy the entertainment on offer, so be it. If you find that it is not to your taste, then simply stay away.
TheMediaCrell
If councillors want to focus on issues arising from noise, traffic, parking and disturbances, then what about the nearby Guru Nanak in Wellington Road? Ask local Residents what this road is like, as well as side roads such as Swancote Road. Indeed, why doesn't the Council do an analysis of the cumulative impact these 'facilities' have on said descriptors. Last week I almost got run over by a taxi driver because according to them they were late for "Friday's prayers". Yes, and I was almost late for being alive thanks to you. I'd wager these religious facilities have a far more detrimental impact on social cohesion, than do a smattering of social clubs. Seems there's no shortage of places to worship and no shortage of resultant chaos and no, you don't need ghost signatures to turn up out the blue to sign a petition.. this is a long-running issue. Where are these pillars of the community now? Nowhere, it seems.
the dog
Clubs similar to this have been operating in the black country for years right under peoples noses with most residents around them not even knowing they are there.
What ever floats your boat, as long as its not hurting anyone, what's the problem.
Good luck to the owners, but remember what kept happening at kinky boots.
Boinggobaggies
You had the same thoughts as me re kinky boots yet at no time did the authorities have the guts to do anything about the perpetrators and we all know why that was.
markie
I am all for letting the club open, but I suspect that it will not last once the initial popularity has died down.
Michaelbuchanan
As always, when will people learn. Making such an application they should have thrown Muslim into the form, would have gone through without an issue.
Crusader42
Much better and has less potential harm to society than a B mosque.