Massage parlour reveals Chester’s ‘dirty dozen’

Jan 13 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

THERE are a dozen businesses offering ‘personal’ services in Chester, according to consultants acting for a massage parlour.

Bonita Westgarth is appealing against Cheshire West and Chester Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for The Dungeon massage parlour at 2 Cheyney Road, Chester.

Consultants for Mrs Westgarth have produced a statement for the Planning Inspectorate to consider in determining the appeal which argues massage parlours are not unusual in Chester.

Mickle Trafford-based LS Planning, run by former council planning enforcement officer Les Smith, says there are at least four similar premises to The Dungeon including one near Chester Fire Station and another near Westminster Park.

It claims there are at least seven establishments where ladies advertise as working on their own.

The statement adds: “The use applied for is therefore not unusual in the Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council area and it is a characteristic of these types of establishments that they do not adversely impact on the area in which they are situated.”

It continues: “There is no evidence to suggest that customers to the premises would pose a threat to local residents and that it would lead to an increase in crime or an erosion of moral values.”

Last April councillors refused a retrospective planning application for the business, which is close to the University of Chester, a primary school and children’s centre, following more than 250 objections.

Officials from the Planning Inspectorate are considering the appeal and will visit The Dungeon on January 17 with a decision expected five to six weeks later.