Lancashire's councils would be handed extra powers to block new lap-dancing clubs under a Conservative government.
Tory shadow minister for women Theresa May on Thursday began a three-month consultation over how best to give councils increased powers to halt the proliferation of lap-dancing clubs.
At the moment, such clubs are licensed like cafes or pubs, givi
ng nearby residents little chance to block new applications.
Campaigners want clubs reclassified as sex encounter establishments.
This would rank them with shows that "provide visual sexual stimulation" and would make it easier to block proposals.
Government Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe last month wrote to the chief executives of each district council in Lancashire asking what extra powers the local authority wants.
He says that ministers are considering changing the 2003 Licensing Act.
However, the Tories have now gone a step further, confirming that they will give local authorities the power to decide whether a lap-dancing club is "appropriate".
Ms May said: "Councils are currently unable to block lap dancing clubs opening, even if they are overwhelmingly opposed by local residents.
"Local people often have legitimate reasons for objecting to the planned location of a lap-dancing club – if it is near a school or a library, for instance. We want to empower councils to take account of local opinion."
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