Furious naturists fight plans to build ‘peeping Tom’ flats next to their nudist estate
They claim their privacy could be violated as the top floor of the proposed development would look out on to their five-acre estate
FURIOUS naturists have been left feeling exposed by proposals to build flats overlooking their grounds.
They claim their privacy could be violated as the top floor of the proposed development would look out on to their five-acre estate.
The 300 members of the White House Club have objected to the five blocks of four-storey flats in Warlingham, Surrey.
They say the flats should have frosted glass to protect their privacy.
The proposal would involve demolishing four houses to make way for 36 flats and 40 parking spaces.
The naturists' club has a membership ranging in age from two to 90 and counts the likes of nurses, teachers and electricians among its ranks.
David Mason, one of the club's directors, said: "The White House Club has for many years been a naturist club - we celebrated our 80th anniversary in 2013.
"It is a haven of peace in the neighbourhood.
"We are concerned about this development, and the potential for overlooking of our club grounds, and especially of our tennis courts, which are situated in a corner of our property immediately across from the (proposed) developments in question."
David says if planning consent is given by Tandridge District Council, it should be on the condition that any windows from which the club's grounds are visible are frosted glass and only openable via a small window at the top.
He also says the number of proposed parking spaces would be inadequate.
The group made similar objections five years ago over plans to build 167 flats nearby.
The council granted planning permission, but the development has not yet gone ahead.
Alan Gunne-Jones, an agent for Aventier Limited - the developers behind the latest scheme, said landscaping would be incorporated into the development.
The existing woodland area adjoining the proposed site would not be affected by the construction, he said.
In a letter to the council, he said: "Given that the site (currently) consists of residential properties and garages, it constitutes brownfield land."
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