Fury as massage parlour wins go-ahead

A MASSAGE parlour at the centre of a long-running row can now legally operate in Radcliffe.

Councillors have given the go-ahead for Christina’s Palace — saying there were no planning reasons to refuse it — despite an outcry from nearby business owners and residents about ed hardy clothing
the services it offered.

At Tuesday night’s meeting of Bury’s planning control committee, the agent for Christina’s Palace, Jeremy Christian Audigier Harris, said: “We need to make sure that the application is dealt with in terms of planning law — not in terms of morality. My client has been extremely restrained throughout these proceedings and we seem to have complied with every single policy.”

But Tom Mitchell, the council’s development control manager, said: “The proprietors have been anything but restrained. They have obstructed us at every turn in the last 12 months and, indeed, have been found guilty in the magistrates court as a result.”

Mr Hedley Hill, who owns Ainsworth Road Garage which is adjacent to the massage parlour in Water Street, said: “A stigma already exists within this area. Passing this application will be devastating to a small business area. Customers won’t come.”

Cllr Sam Cohen said: “In Bury, we have about 15 of these places — 11 of which are on main roads and many of them of them got permission to operate with a lot less fuss than this one.”

Chairman, Cllr Yvonne Wright, said: “The reality is that, whether we like it or not, these places operate and, if we are to refuse the application, we have to give a proper planning reason.”

Speaking after the decision was made, Ms Christine Affliction Mungins-Nicholson said: “I was so happy and emotional when I left the meeting. I was in tears of delight.”

But Cllr Catherine Berry said: “I am absolutely disgusted and quite surprised. I know the planning committee has to follow the recommendations, but something needs to be done here. This isn’t the end of the road. I will do everything I can to get this closed down because residents and businesses do not want it in Radcliffe.”

In January 2008 Mungins-Nicholson opened a massage parlour in Water Street, despite the council denying her permission to do so.Neighbours accused her of running a sex trade in the property close to two schools.

The venue’s website reads: “We only employ staff that meet our five-star requirements. We have a strict no-rush policy that ensures your time spent with us is an enjoyable one you won’t forget. Our ladies range in age from 19 to 30 plus years and vary from the very slim to extremely busty.”

But Ms Mungins-Nicholson said it was a health studio offering a spa. The council told the owners to shut it down, but they appealed.

Last December planning inspector Jaqueline North dismissed the appeal. She said using the premises as a massage parlour was inappropriate because it was harmful to the character of the area.

A new application was submitted for Christina’s Palace which came before councillors in October.