A CHURCH leader has hit out at plans to transform a city centre hotel into a sex club.

The New County Hotel in Southgate Street looks set to be turned into a private members' bar, aimed at gay people and swingers, after planning chiefs recommended it for approval.

But Mark Jones, a leader at the City Church of Gloucester, said the introduction of the hotel could damage the city in a number of ways.

In an open letter written to The Citizen, Mr Jones said: "I understand the position that the planning committee cannot decide an application on moral grounds, but I do believe there is something wrong with our society if moral considerations have no place in deciding public policy."

Mr Jones fears the club may encourage prostitution, could create a no-go area for people at night and could attract sex offenders into the area.

He said: "The nature of this club will increase the need of extra policing of the area to combat public order offences. Police recourses are already stretched."

He added: "The club would gather a cross section of the public and such clubs have historically gathered more male than female clients, added to this if the club is applying for an alcohol licence, the combination of sexual entertainment and alcohol would be varied and unpredictable.

"The patrons could be disposed to irrational and sometimes violent and anti-social conduct.

"I feel the council has made many good decisions to enhance the look and feel of Gloucester for which it should be commended; however, this is not one of those occasions. I intend to pursue a campaign of public awareness of this issue and canvas support from as many high profile people and local residents that I can, until those with the authority to make the necessary decisions come to their senses, deny this application, and deny any licence applications to trade."

The City Church of Gloucester meets at the George Whitefield Centre in Great Western Road at 10am on Sunday mornings.

A spokesman for gay rights in Gloucestershire said: "I think the hotel is a good idea, it is something needed in Gloucester and in the county because there is very, very little for gay men and women to go to.

"It would be members only and I really don't see that it would encourage anti-social behaviour or anything like that.

"I think it is people that are just clutching at straws looking for things against it because they don't want it here."

The proposals, by firm Mystique, will be discussed by the city council's planning committee tomorrow.