Blackpool massage parlour approved despite "intelligence that the premises is being used for prostitution.”

The council’s planning committee unanimously approved the application by Masarat Mclelland for a property on Cookson Street but warned action would be taken if illegal activity was detected.

Councillors were told “the current unauthorised use of the premises has no bearing on the consideration of this planning application.”

Head of planning Susan Parker added the use of the premises as a massage parlour was appropriate in the town centre.

But she warned “any unauthorised use of the premises in the future would be a matter for investigation and resolution by the appropriate enforcement body”, whether that was the police or the council.

A report to the committee said the council’s community safety team “has intelligence that the premises is being used for prostitution.”

It says: “There is a concern that prostitution could continue as a part of the proposed use. As one would expect, there is nothing within the application to suggest that this would be the case.

“Massage is a legitimate form of therapy whether offered on a more medical basis to assist in recovery from injury, or on a more recreational basis as treatment to assist with relaxation.

“Such uses are entirely appropriate to a town centre location as they offer a service to visiting members of the public.”

The report adds: “Any use of the premises for prostitution following implementation of a planning permission would be a criminal matter for resolution by the police or the council’s community safety team as appropriate.”

Councillors called for the premises, which had previously housed a hot food take-away, to be monitored.

Committee chairman Coun David Owen said: “There is a whole raft of tools which the council can use if the use (of the premises) becomes in any way oppressive or affected the amenity of the neighbourhood.”

The applicant said in its submission to the council that treatment would "focused around Thai massage practices which have a number of positive health benefits.

“This business will offer treatments known to relieve aches, back pain, muscle pain and spasticity, joint stiffness and pain, increase flexibility and range of motion, and improve circulation."

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