Swingers' venue which sparked fury in Heanor wins right to stay open
A CONTROVERSIAL swingers' club has been approved by councillors – despite 200 people signing a petition against it.
The Xotix Xtreme club, in Heanor, which features a dungeon and lockable "voyeur" rooms, had already opened its doors.
Owner Karen Keith was applying for permission retrospectively from Amber Valley planning board.
Paul Jones, a councillor for Heanor town and Amber Valley borough councils, said residents would be "very concerned".
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He said the club heaped further bad press on the town, after two BNP councillors were elected to the borough council in 2008. They lost their seats this year.
He said: "Heanor has had unwarranted publicity because of a far-right party and we are trying to encourage investment and are having difficulty.
"The planning board needs to look at the reputation and impact of their decision. Their decision could be detrimental to the community."
Councillor Marlene Bennett criticised club officials for opening without first getting approval for a change of use to the building.
The Heanor Gate Road venue used to be offices.
She said: "I am sick and tired and it is time we served action for the people who abide by the rules."
But she was told by officers this could not be a factor in her decision.
Church leaders in the town had previously argued the club undermined family life and started the petition.
Amber Valley Borough Council officers have inspected the premises and say the business is acting within licensing regulations.
There were also no objections from Derbyshire police, highways officers and environmental services staff.
And although councillors were outspoken in their opposition, officers told them there were no planning grounds to refuse the application. It was passed by six votes to four.
The club's owner, Karen Keith, was unavailable for comment but previously had told the Telegraph there had been no negative feedback from people living nearby.
"This is a private members' club," she said.
"We are doing nothing wrong and there is nothing people can see visually from the outside."
Comments
by coralsea
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 4:24PM
“Ha Ha to be honest Heanor Has had a bad reputation for many years so they cannot blame the swingers's club, to be honest the club may have Improved the reputation of Heanor Lol”
by coralsea
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 4:23PM
“Ha Ha to be honest Heanor Has had a bad reputation for many years so they cannot blame the swingers's club, to be honest the club may have Improved the reputation of Heanor Lol”
by JohnZFish
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 3:52PM
“What are the rates for "Press ganging", sounds quite good. Is there a minimum number?”
by Philanthropic
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 3:30PM
“Heanor hypocrites !. So how many of those 200 petition signer's and any other Heanor resident have had affair's, go in to shops that sell porographic magazines, buy the Sun and letch at page 3 pin up girls, swear in public. what complete hypocrites. Never been to a swingers club, nor want to and am very happy in my life partner and mother of my children. However, I doubt very much the people who attend these clubs are forcibly made to go and they I've never ever heard of anyone being 'press ganged' in to going there. Unless there is any evidence of an an increase in any sort of sexual offence around these sort of places, what consenting adult couples choose to do in the privacy of a private members club, is within the law, has absolutely nothing to do with any local busy body. The part of the article refering to 'Church leaders' comments and concerns about 'undermining familylife' make me absolutely howl, when, under the banner of religious belief, the 'god squad' are and have been throughout eternity some of the most prolific child sexual abusers and war mongerer's. Even now the 'general Synod' promotes inequality between men and women. Quite honestly, if anyone tried to convince people that water could be turned in to wine, feed 5000 people with 2 loaves and five fish's, be reincarnated when you are dead, together with 'immacutate conception', they'd be sectioned under the mental health act. May I suggest they stay at home and knit some more covers for their prayer cushions.”
by JohnZFish
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 1:32PM
“Swinging, Heanor surely some mistake.”
by ianshelton
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 1:11PM
“indeed. Sometimes needs a bit of lubrication before it'll swing openn ...”
by Monsieur_Lupo
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 1:03PM
“Odd looking building. Entrance at rear?”
by Mr_Bronson
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 12:38PM
“PMSL "Codnor Sex Museum"”
by stargazerhill
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 12:22PM
“Sounds like the council had there "hands tied" on this :P”
by ianshelton
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 12:11PM
“You're onto something here ...
The big wigs say Heanor has a problem attracting business, tourists etc. So why not capitalise on the trend ? It's not done Hamburg or Amsterdam any great harm... just think of it 'Heanor : Sin City UK' . Get a 'Hooters' bar open, couple of gentlemans clubs, bit of pole dancing - the local economy will go bananas ! Start a Reeperbahn strecthing off towards Ripley, limo hire, escort agencies, companion services. The possibilities are endless, and the income massive. And who wouldn't pay good money to visit the Codnor Sex Museum ?”