Nudist club letter 'throwback to saucy postcard era'

A rural naturist club said it was "disappointing" to be asked by a council for its views on regulating sex establishments.

Broadland Sun Association, which runs a naturist camp in Stoke Holy Cross, near Norwich, is angry at any implication it should be covered by the new policy, which requires sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) to apply for licences.

It accused South Norfolk Council of implying nudity itself was sexual, and said such attitudes were a "throwback to the saucy postcard era".

However, the council – which is renewing its SEV policy – sent letters to 250 business and organisations, including pubs, village halls and social clubs, to see if they wanted to contribute to the consultation.

Steve Law, the club secretary, replied to the council demanding to know why it had been contacted, and he told officials they should visit to find out more about naturism.

The club was contacted by the council as part of a consultation exercise about the introduction of a licensing system.

It carried out the consultation last year and the new policy, which will see venues pay up to £2,280 to apply for licences, is expected to be formally adopted at a meeting on Tuesday.

Broadland Sun Club's response has emerged in a report about the new system which has been published ahead of the meeting.

In his response, Mr Law said "nudity itself is not sexual" and added: "Broadland Sun Association has just celebrated its 90th birthday so is by no means a new phenomenon.

"The oft-heard view that being naked is somehow wrong, unnatural or will provoke sexual tension is a throwback to the saucy postcard era, and we find the implied link somewhat out of touch with today's society."

However, South Norfolk Council – which does not have any sex establishments in its district – had sent the same letter to 250 business and organisations, including pubs, village halls and social clubs, to see whether they wanted to contribute to the consultation.

It stressed that nudity itself would not need to be licensed – only if it were for the purpose of sexually stimulating an audience.

In the event, it had only three responses from its 250 letters: one from the nudist group, one from Trading Standards and the other from a town council.

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