Plans to create Shrewsbury’s first lap and pole dancing club have been thrown out after councillors argued the proposed site was unsuitable and would increase residents’ fear of crime.

At last night’s meeting of the borough council’s development control committee, councillors voted against officer recommendations and turned down the exotic dancing club planned for Castle Gates.

Jill Bedford, from Underdale Road, who spoke at the meeting was given rapturous applause by a packed public gallery after she warned councillors the venue could lead to concerns over public safety, organised crime and the decline of that area of the town.

She also said women would increasingly fear for their safety walking along the nearby Dana.

The club was proposed for the first and second floors of Central Hall, in Castle Gates and would offer customers semi-naked, nude, pole and lap dances.

A spokeswoman for applicants Gemini Games Ltd told the meeting there was no evidence to suggest the club would lead to an increase in crime and said bosses would introduce stringent security and CCTV to ensure public safety.

But Councillor Brian Rees said the proposed entrance to the club on Castle Gates would cause conflict between customers queuing for the neighbouring pub.

Councillor Christine Freestone said that despite the fact herself and other members were against the application, the committee needed to distinguish between moral and planning issues in making a decision.

The committee refused the plans on the grounds of increased fear of crime, detriment to the locality and potential conflict near the Castle Gates entrance.