A fish and chip shop has been banned from opening near two schools for fear of undermining health policies, but a sex shop has been allowed to open next door to a school uniform store.
The chip shop was blocked last week by Northamptonshire Council who rejected a plan to convert a disused corner shop into a takeaway fish and chip shop.
But meanwhile in Cornwall, the Council allowed a sex shop to open in Truro next to a school uniform store despite strong local objections.
Family
Now a local resident together with The Christian Institute is taking Cornwall Council to court over its controversial decision.
Mrs Carlyon, a city councillor and former Mayor, has previously hit out at the proposed sex shop.
The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert said: “Like a lot of people, we were shocked when Cornwall Council agreed to license a sex shop in a family shopping area, right next door to a school uniform shop.
Sex shop
“The sex shop licensing regime gives councils discretion to say ‘no’ but Cornwall chose to say ‘yes’.
“There is a serious issue of principle at stake for the whole country, not just Cornwall.”
Mr Calvert added: “If it is OK to license shops to sell hard core porn next to premises routinely used by children and families, then nowhere is safe. What next, a sex shop adjacent to a nursery school?
Law
“We think there are strong grounds for inviting the court to look at this decision and to see if Cornwall correctly followed the law.”
A judicial review allows a court to decide on whether a public body has acted lawfully.
In August a local news website reported a 700-name petition had been gathered and 90 complaints about the proposed sex shop had been made.
Children
One mum said she was concerned her children would see the sex shop when going into the school uniform shop.
“I don’t think it’s right to have a shop like that and I’m sad to see it happening in Truro”, said Siobhan Ward.