A 170-year-old Grade II listed building in Gloucester could be turned into a swingers club.
Plans to turn a 170-year-old Grade II listed building into a members-only "sex club" have been rejected by Gloucester City Council.
Plans have been submitted to turn the former New County Hotel, in Southgate Street, into a bar and restaurant and night-time private members' sex club.
A scheme to convert the former New County Hotel in Southgate Street was rejected by a 6-5 vote.
City council officers have recommended the plans, which include themed erotic rooms and a sex shop, be approved.
Developers hoped to make it into a club for "people with alternative sexual lifestyles".
The city council's leader and the civic trust say moral issues cannot be taken into account by the planning committee.
Councillors said the idea "does not reinforce Gloucester's special character and sense of place".
'Tolerant city'
'Moral' objections
Paul James, leader of the council, said: "The committee will have to confine itself to the relevant planning issues. The moral aspect of it isn't a relevant issue.
The councillors had been instructed they had no right to veto the scheme on moral grounds.
"If it's going to happen we've got to make the best of it. Gloucester is an open-minded and tolerant city and the majority of people I've spoken to haven't got any issues with it."
But the committee was told that more than half of the Gloucester City Centre Community Partnership objected.
Hugh Worsnip, from the civic trust, said the building has been derelict for two years and although they would prefer it to remain as a hotel the plans would maintain its internal structure.
Martyn White, of Gloucester Civic Trust, wrote: "I personally have strong moral objections to such a place existing at all.
We don't think it is part of our remit to decide what people do in their bedrooms Hugh Worsnip, Civic Trust
"To site it in the historic city centre, opposite one Christian church and next door but one to another would make a mockery of our heritage and rob Gloucester of all credibility to visitors."
"Our concerns are with the building itself. It is a very handsome listed building in a conservation area and these proposals will preserve the integrity of that building," he said.
Plans included a "fetish room for adult enjoyment".
"It will repair it, it will decorate it and bring it back into use so far as the planning issues are concerned we are in favour of it.
The planning application states: "The private members' club would comprise an exclusive venue for people with alternative sexual lifestyles such as gay men and women, bisexual men and women, transvestites, cross-dressers, cross-genders, variables and swingers."
"We don't think it is part of our remit to decide what people do in their bedrooms."
Lockable rooms
Mystique is the company behind the plans which also include a "fetish room for adult enjoyment".
The planning application states: "The private members' club would comprise an exclusive venue for people with alternative sexual lifestyles such as gay men and women, bisexual men and women, transvestites, cross-dressers, cross-genders, variables and swingers.
"The sexually themed open play rooms would be located on the first floor.
"The second floor would have 10 lockable themed rooms for overnight stays for members only."
Formerly known as The Ram Inn, the New County Hotel was built in 1840 and extended in 1890.
Formerly known as The Ram Inn, the New County Hotel was built in 1840 and extended in 1890.
Until the 1980s it was regarded as Gloucester's premier hotel.
Until the 1980s it was regarded as Gloucester's premier hotel.
It is next door to the house where Robert Raikes founded Sunday schools in the 18th Century.
The planning committee is due to meet to at 1800 BST on Tuesday.