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By: John Howard

'Sodom and Gomorrah' in the Shires prevented

The company which had planned to open an LGBT sex club in the centre of Gloucester is to demand a public inquiry into the city council's rejection of the proposal, saying it believes the decision was based on moral rather than planning grounds.
 
The company, Mystique, wanted to turn the New County Hotel in Southgate Street into a restaurant and private members' club with ten flats above.

Planning permission was granted in January, but on Tuesday the city council's planning committee rejected the proposal by six votes to five following a wave of protests, including a large number from city church members.
 
In July, Mystique outlined its plans for the Grade II-listed building as a private members' club:

"Once inside, the ballroom will lend itself to high energy nights for gay parties and swinging couples on rotating weekends. There will be elaborate themed evenings of entertainment, which will give you an opportunity to dress outlandishly. Upstairs on the first floor the open playrooms will be themed in popular styles such as Arabian nights, mirrored room, gothic room and a fetish room for adult enjoyment in a controlled clean environment." 
 
Several of the committee members acknowledged their links to local churches at Tuesday's meeting.

A spokesman for Mystique told the Gloucester Citizen: "When asked to declare their interests, the planning committee should consider their religious beliefs and step down if they believe their faith will dictate the outcome.
 
"I will be demanding a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the refusal. Twenty-three people will not now be employed, life-stylers from outside the area will not now visit Gloucester to shop and the hotel will turn into flats 'eventually' when the climate changes." 
 
The Press Association quoted Susan Johnson, who spoke to the council on behalf of opponents to the development, as calling on the "good men and women of Gloucester" to reject the plans, saying:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing," later adding, "I didn't use the words Sodom and Gomorrah, but I feel that this would have been the thin end of the wedge, which would only lead to Gloucester turning into that.
 
"I'm not homophobic, but I can love people and hate their activities. I can still hate the homosexual act. And I certainly hate adultery."