Reports that an LGBT-only village would be built in a town in the Netherlands have been revealed as a hoax.

The website of the Gay Village Project, was revealed as an elaborate hoax intended to raise awareness of LGBT issues.

News outlets reported yesterday that property developer Blauwhoed made the proposal for an LGBT-only development in in Tilburg, citing a poll that found 22% of gay people were uncomfortable in their own neighbourhood.

Tilburg mayor Peter Noordanus, and other officials, welcomed the plan. Noordanus said: “A tolerant city is pleased to have a gay community within its borders.”

It has now been revealed that the Roze Maandag (Pink Monday) foundation organised the hoax, and convinced officials to play along.

The organisation hosts a day of the Tillburg Fair, which is speciifally dedicated to LGBT issues.

Roze Maandag posted on its website stating: “Although Gay Village is not real, intolerance against the gay community is.”

Despite being a hoax, the story was met with criticism and anger. Many argued that the LGBT community ghettoising itself would do nothing to help tackle homophobia and transphobia.

The group said it was pleased that the story gathered negative attention, stating: “to the effect that a gay village is indeed ‘ridiculous’”.

A spokesperson told the Netherlands Times: “We are happy with the thousands of negative, and the fewer positive, reactions. It is great to hear that the majority is against the idea. All we wanted was to create an awareness, and we are certain that we succeeded in this.”