A former Environment Court judge is fighting council plans to allow small brothels on the Kapiti Coast, saying residents might not be able to sell their homes if one set up next door.
Until now, brothels have been considered "places of assembly" and not permitted in residential areas on the Kapiti Coast. Former mayor Brett Ambler originally introduced the designation to ban gang headquarters.
But it has been removed from Kapiti Coast District Council's proposed District Plan, and prostitution would be permitted in residential areas if it was a "home occupation" - no more than two people in a building occupying no more than 40 square metres. Allin is among those objecting to the proposed new rules, believing prostitution and massage parlours are commercial activities that should not be allowed in residential zones.
The deadline for submissions to the proposed District Plan has closed, but councillor K Gurunathan urged residents to "coat-tail" on submissions already lodged before the hearing process begins next year. Prostitutes Collective national co-ordinator Catherine Healy said it would be highly unlikely any brothel or sex worker would want to advertise publicly that they were operating in an area such as a Kapiti neighbourhood.
/arc-anglerfish-syd-prod-nzme.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CDGDGYLXHJGQFAHITAHAEM4ZOA.jpg "Teen girls in Kapiti")
Council environmental planning manager Darryl Lew said the new rules regarding brothels and signage were not settled. The issue, along with all the other submission points, will be addressed through the PDP hearings process. Ex-judge fights plans for small brothels on coast.
