Western Daily Press (Saturday)
‘Nuisance’ plan for former sex hotel approved
NEIGHBOURS of a rural hotel that once hosted exclusive group sex parties have had their objections to its new use rejected.
The Croydon Hall hotel in the tiny Exmoor village of Rodhuish was once notorious for hosting members-only “Exclusively Silks” parties – described online as “intimate parties for classy, sophisticated couples and single ladies”.
It might have been assumed that residents living nearby would have welcomed with open arms it returning to use as a wedding venue and upmarket country house hotel.
But several neighbours objected to a bid for extended licensing hours on the grounds of noise.
Somerset West and Taunton Council, however, dismissed those concerns and granted the hotel’s new owners permission to run live events and serve alcohol to nonresidents until 2am.
The licence will allow the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 7am to 2am; the supply of alcohol to hotel residents 24/7; late-night refreshments indoors from 11pm to 5am and live or recorded music can be played from 7am to 2am indoors and 7am to 11pm outdoors.
Brad Fear, the council’s licensing officer, said the conditions surrounding the existing licence had been deemed “cumbersome, complicated and unenforceable” following discussions with Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Neither the police nor Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had objected to the simplified and revised conditions for the new licence.
But Paul Chavasse, who lives close to the hotel with his wife Sonia, argued that the extended licensing hours would do irreparathe ble damage to the national park.
In a statement read out by his wife, he said: “My fundamental objection is that this creates public nuisance in degrading the environment of Exmoor National Park, which is supposed to protect the environment for the public good.
“A good quality hotel is to be welcomed if it is in accord with the park’s wider public objectives. Activity within the precincts of the hotel should not create problems.
“Our concern is that, at well as 50 residential guests, the website increases this to 250 guests. Two hundred guests will be leaving in middle of the night – this will lead to significant public nuisance.”
Mrs Chavasse added: “I do not agree that this hotel needs a licence for non-residents to succeed as a viable business.
“The national park is important to people’s health and well-being, as well as Exmoor’s economy – people come here to escape from the noise of urban life.”
In addition to being a hotel, Croydon Hall advertises itself for weddings and as a filming location, and is already taking bookings for Christmas events.
Jeremy Millins, the new owner, said he had worked closely with the police to improve on the record of his “colourful predecessors”.
He said: “I purchased Croydon Hall 12 months ago and we’ve been spending a lot of time bringing the building up to a very high standard.
“This licence doesn’t mean we’re going to be trading until 2am daily or weekly; it allows us to cater for the various events we intend to do without having to apply for temporary events notices.
“I live in the site in a cottage adjacent to the hall. It’s very important that we’re a good neighbour – I’m not intending to go anywhere.”
The council approved the application.
It’s very important we’re a good neighbour – I’m not intending to go anywhere OWNER JEREMY MILLINS