CONTROVERSIAL moves to open a sex shop on a Wickham Market industrial estate look set to receive approval from planning chiefs.Despite the concerns of worried residents and the opinion of the village's parish council, Suffolk Coastal's planning officers are recommending approval of the application.

CONTROVERSIAL moves to open a sex shop on a Wickham Market industrial estate look set to receive approval from planning chiefs.

Despite the concerns of worried residents and the opinion of the village's parish council, Suffolk Coastal's planning officers are recommending approval of the application.

The report states: "Whilst there may be a moral aspect that could concern people, this aspect is not strictly a planning matter and from a planning point of view, the proposal will need to be considered on its developmental control merits."

Planning officers said the proposed location for 'Adam and Eve's Emporium', in the Riverside Industrial Estate in Border Cot Lane, is "probably the most suitable type of location for a business of this type."

They said the proposal adhered to planning policy and would not detract from the environment or nearby homes.

Eight letters of objection had been received by Suffolk Coastal and the parish council strongly recommended refusal of the business.

Objectors criticised the plans and said the £100,000 recently spent on improving Wickham Market would be a waste of money if a sex shop was positioned just off the High Street.

Parish councillors warned that the village's reputation was in danger of being damaged.

They added there was a real concern crime rates would increase and the industrial units would become a target for burglary and vandalism.

A decision will be taken by Suffolk Coastal's development control sub committee on October 15.

If the proposal is approved the applicants will then need to gain a licence to permit them to sell materials of a sexually explicit nature.

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal said: "As yet, a licence has not been applied for and it is likely that the applicants will wait for the planners decision before this happens.

"As soon as it does we will advertise it and people will have a month to make their objections known."

He said that even if a licence is not granted the shop would still be able to sell some material of an adult nature. Ann Summers, for example, does not require a licence.

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