A CAMPAIGN has been launched against plans for a lap dancing club in Benfleet.

Angry residents have united to object to the club on the Manor Trading estate.

Nearby businesses and parents have raised concerns about how close the venue would be to a nursery and a dance school.

Called Galore, the club is asking Castle Point Council for permission to open between 8pm and 5am – meaning it would open when children could be leaving the nearby dance school.

George Robertson, 37, who works at Ankon Manufacturers on the estate, said: “I wouldn’t think it would be the best thing to have next to a nursery. There are already some characters on this estate, so I wouldn’t imagine it would need any more.”

Rita Curtiss, 74, of Church Rd., who works at the nearby Farmer Fred’s Play Barn, said: “It will draw the riff-raff. Also if it’s open till 5am, what sort of noise is it going to be when the custoemrs are going home?”

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris has been contacted by more than 30 people asking her to run a petition.

Many objectors raised fears about how close the club would be to homes. Mrs Harris said: “The best-run businesses work closely with police and are in well-lit areas.’’ But this was an area that did not have a strong police presence or good lighting, she said.

She added: “People will be very annoyed if there are late-night disturbances.”

Castle Point Councillor Bill Dick, a governor at Robert Drake Primary School, which is near the site, also raised concerns.

Mrs Harris added: “It’s not a moral crusade or prudishness – it’s just been placed too near the village.

“Ordinary licensing hours are bad enough, but closing at 5am – there will be an overspill into residential areas. Once the licence is granted, it’s quite hard to rein back.

“I just don’t think being near the residential area is the right place for it.”