Sign up to FREE email alerts from KentLive - Daily Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

An application to change a business unit near Canterbury into a private adult members' club has been thrown out, but the owner says they are going to appeal.

Club Desire wanted to change the warehouse unit on Lakesview Business Park in Hersden into an adult playground where members could relax, socialise and explore.

But council planners said the proposed development failed to demonstrate whether there were other available and more suitable sites.

They also said the development would result in a loss of industrial employment floor space on a protected employment site as well as increasing the demand for onsite parking.

Jack Brabham, who lodged the application, said he wants the council to explain why his plans did not go to committee.

(Image: Club Desire)

He said: “We think that the venue we have found is perfect and no one else on the business park is operating this type of business.

‘We are going to appeal’

“We are going to do the appeal and see how it goes, the reasons they gave are not really issues.

“Because there were a lot of comments on the application it should have gone to full council for a decision, I am still waiting for the council to explain why it didn’t.

“I haven’t been able to get any justification of why my application was rejected because I haven’t even been able to speak to the person who made the decision.”

Club Desire’s website states it offers a ‘fantasy come true’ service where members can play out their fantasies.

The website's homepage states: “Our aim is to create a welcoming, relaxed environment which caters for most kinks and interests, from first timers to regular club goers, with a large social area to mingle, a hot tub room and shower with towels.

‘Fully equipped dungeon’

“A fully equipped dungeon for those into fetish and bdsm, a two way mirror room so the occupants can have an audience if they desire and not know who’s watching, and other private rooms.”

They also planned to run a ‘mistress school’ where a professional dominatrix would delve into psychological and physiological aspects of domination.

Members were even going to be able to rent equipment for private use throughout the week, by appointment only.

Canterbury City Council explain why it did not go to committee

A spokesman for Canterbury City Council said: "The application for a change of use of Unit 4d, Sparrow Way, Hersden, from a warehouse to a private members club was refused on 23 August because it would lead to the loss of industrial floor space and the jobs that come with it.

"The applicant also failed to show there are no other more suitably located and available sites to justify the loss of industrial floor space.

"On top of that our planners were concerned about the increased demand for parking the change of use would generate on the site.

"Councillors on the planning committee are called upon to decide planning applications when officers recommend approval but the council receives four or more objections.

"Ward councillors can also request that an application is decided by the committee."Neither of those criteria were met on this occasion.

"Officers are entitled to refuse applications without recourse to the planning committee when they judge that they do not comply with the council's planning policies."