Big thumbs down for massage parlour

THE owners of a Weston massage parlour have suffered a blow in their bid to get planning permission.Operators of Emmanuelle's in Baker Street applied for permission to officially change the use of the building from a dog grooming salon to a massage parlour.In a meeting packed with angry residents, Weston Town Council's planning committee unanimously objected to the application. Its views will go to North Somerset Council which will make a decision on the proposal.Speaking at the meeting, nearby resident Marie Lewis said: "We are kept awake until 6am with comings and goings, people queuing up for a massage, urinating in doorways, knocking on windows, looking through children's bedroom windows and creating more problems parking. "It's called Emmanuelle's. What do you think is going to go on there? "There are four or five other parlours waiting to see if Emmanuelle's goes ahead. If it does they will apply and North Somerset Council won't be able to turn them down. Is this what you want for Weston?"Linda Williams said: "I live right next door and I've had to go to the police twice because of problems caused by the parlour."I even booked an appointment there before it opened because they told us they were a nail bar."Weston Mead Residents Association chairman Geoff Bunn spoke at the meeting and said: "Emmanuelle's has been open three months and it's only now they've put in a retrospective application."It is 150 yards from a primary school and dance school used by young girls and the last thing they expect is to be accosted by men looking for nefarious activity. Various other residents have been accosted too."Planning committee chairman Councillor Andrew Horler said: "The parlour's opening hours have caused considerable discomfort and what may be considered an unbearable situation for the local community."Town and North Somerset Cllr Ian Parker said the situation was intolerable for residents and he would be objecting if the matter went before North Somerset councillors.