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Kestrels
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Full-frontal assault on nudists spa closure order
9 Aug 2013 13:38
Spelthorne Borough Council has ordered that the Kestrel Hydro naturists spa in Stanwell Moor must be shut down over planning issues
The Kestrel Hydro naturists spa has been in operation for seven yearsThe Kestrel Hydro naturists spa has been in operation for seven years
Nudists will have to wrap things up after an enforcement notice demanded that a colony which came complete with its own dungeon close its doors, seven years after it opened.
The Kestrel Hydro naturists spa in Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, has said it will fight to allow its members to carry on stripping after it was found to be running an adult private members’ club without permission and installing "structures and hardstanding" on green belt, former residential land.
The decision has put seven full-time job, and several more part-time roles at risk.
Kestrel director Graham Tattershall said he intended to appeal against the decision.
“Every area where they’ve said we had hardstanding was down already before we moved in,” he said.
“This is not good news but we have got six months to appeal.”
The decision to enforce the closure of the site as an adult club and revert the land back to a single family home, as well as remove any structures installed by Hydro, was made by Spelthorne Borough Council’s planning committee last Wednesday (July 31).
The committee heard the company had grown over the years from when it first launched into a hydrotherapy centre into a fully blown nudist colony complete with dungeon, which brought sniggers from members.
Mr Tattershall, speaking for the application, told the hearing that he had started the business with a late friend, who had been responsible for taking care of planning matters – Hydro originally had temporary planning permission granted in 2005, which had since lapsed.
He said: “I went into business nearly nine years ago with a view to running a hydrotherapy centre. It’s grown over the years. The spa is run very professionally and there’s no impact on the local village.
“I am a member of the Spelthorne Business Forum.”
Not all council members backed the closure.
Stanwell North councillor Spencer Taylor said: “There have been no objections from residents and green belt can also be used for recreational purposes.”
Mr Tattershall added: “We don’t want to antagonise the council. It is all above board, we just want to carry on for our members.
“We will be appealing the decision and looking at another way of applying for permission.”
Source: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/full-frontal-assault-nudists-spa-closure-5686037 |
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Would be such a shame .. For Us Naturists there are so few places we can go and socialise in the sun ,local to me anyway..
Met many lovely people here .
Do wish people didnt snigger about nudity its so childish.
I love the place has been a great help to my well being anyway I hope this doesnt happen.  |
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By *enithWoman
over a year ago
closer than you think |
I agree Cinammon it would be a great shame as like you I have spent lots of time there and made loads of friends but have they bought this on themselves?
When I first started going to Kestrels/Abfabs they had restricted opening times but over the last few years they have added extra opening times especially in the evenings. Now this causes extra traffic and noise to the area and obviously neighbours have become upset and complaints have made made to the appropriate bodies.
I hope they are successful in their appeal but think they may have to restrict the amount of time they are open, especially in the evenings |
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It actually says the neighhbours arent at all worried. If we are respectful to those living in the village then why would they worry.
opening hours dont affect councils.. they always are pedantic.. same as people talking still about costs ..nothing to do with the way councils think.
more a case of narrow minded people that think naturism is dirty and rude in some way.
But if the male councillors were given entry to actually experience it they would surely love it too.  |
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By *enithWoman
over a year ago
closer than you think |
having re-read the report it appears that the council is enforcing the closure because "it was found to be running an adult private members’ club without permission and installing "structures and hardstanding" on green belt, former residential land" ie the objection is against Abfabs and not Kestrels nudist colony
perhaps they need to get permission just for the spa |
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By *ndyericaCouple
over a year ago
London / Thames Valley |
Kestrel is still open and Graham intends to appeal.
The structures were there before kestrel ever became a club, and there is a massive structure just built next door, right up to kestrel boundary. So the council is just being petty.
With luck appeals might last over a year and another council might be in place and more favourable to it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Having been to.Kestrel some 12+ times I love it. Never been to Absfab.
I so hope they manage to stay open as its the most relaxing place I have ever been.
Laying there totally naked with my FWB for 7 hours in the warm sunshine of the meadow with the occasional swim in truly unparalleled by any other experience.
Dave |
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Ohhhh nooooo  we love lazy, chilled and often very naughty days at Kestrels. It's been so fab spending our very rare days off together in the pool and hotubs. Fingers crossed that Graham and the gang win their appeal xx |
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Oh no!! This is the closest place to us (an hour's drive away) and if it closes that's our fun effectively ruined. I agree with the poster who said that there's a huge structure being constructed smack bang next-door to Kestrels ... it's a massive, green monstrosity so I really don't see how the council can complain about the structures within Kestrels on that basis. So yes, I also think they're just being petty and narrow-minded. I hope Graham wins this one |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Hope it doesn't close, went to Abfabs the other evening and was persuaded by a friend to come and try Kestrels. Was going to give it a try in the next few weeks |
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"Hope it doesn't close, went to Abfabs the other evening and was persuaded by a friend to come and try Kestrels. Was going to give it a try in the next few weeks "
Isn't it still open pending appeal? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i tried a number to call and it doesnt go through , though it might be an old one , does anyone from kestrals have a definative answer please, i need my monday night fix xx |
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Hi everyone...
Please rest assured, we are operating as normal - our spa and our parties are running as before and there is no plan to alter or disrupt our schedule - so come along and enjoy as usual...
See you all soon x
Paula  |
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"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2390047/Nudist-spa-sauna-hot-tub-dungeon-ordered-close-outdoor-structures-breached-planning-rules.html"
Only a few responses in the paper so far ... but they don't express the moral outrage I think the Mail was hoping for. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Council busy bodies!
I don't see what the issue is as not overlooked or detracting from anything locally.
Council either want to make money or one if the officers got caught somewhere he shouldn't have been and said they were "investigating".
If in 9 years the council has never had cause for concern with the business why kick up shit now?
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By *rica77Couple
over a year ago
Norwich |
The "closure" of Kestrels has hit The Telegraph page 3 no less. Kestrels is a wonderful place to go especially in tbe summer months. The people I have met there have been in the main lovely. Although the national press claim its closed. ..im sure that's not the case and me for one will be there by 1 today. Good luck to Graham and his wonderful staff....and their solicitor no doubt in tgeir appeal. |
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"Lets hope the publicity in the Mail and Telegraph will bring in some new people curious to find out what its like to be naked in the sun..
heres hoping..  "
... but hopefully NOT the media, curious about what sort of 'deviants' hang out in a place like that  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Kestrels is definitely NOT closed at the moment (for those people on here that actually go!) and while everyone is aware of the planning etc problem why don't we stop speculating and spreading rumors about the situation and just enjoy this wonderful haven for open minded adults while we still can?
As for the moaning about the prices, put in perspective like this: there has been no price increase for at least three years prior to this one (what other business can you say that of?) and for the price of a couple on a Wednesday (remember that's ALL day up to midnight) you can get a room in a travel lodge, with no pool, no hot tubs, dungeon, cinema or sexy people to meet and play with... and in the end yes its a business and they need to make a profit to keep up standards and stay open! |
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By *parkyukMan
over a year ago
here and there |
"Kestrels is definitely NOT closed at the moment (for those people on here that actually go!) and while everyone is aware of the planning etc problem why don't we stop speculating and spreading rumors about the situation and just enjoy this wonderful haven for open minded adults while we still can?
As for the moaning about the prices, put in perspective like this: there has been no price increase for at least three years prior to this one (what other business can you say that of?) and for the price of a couple on a Wednesday (remember that's ALL day up to midnight) you can get a room in a travel lodge, with no pool, no hot tubs, dungeon, cinema or sexy people to meet and play with... and in the end yes its a business and they need to make a profit to keep up standards and stay open! "
Could not agree more  |
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By *enithWoman
over a year ago
closer than you think |
"As for the moaning about the prices, put in perspective like this: there has been no price increase for at least three years prior to this one (what other business can you say that of?) and for the price of a couple on a Wednesday (remember that's ALL day up to midnight) you can get a room in a travel lodge, with no pool, no hot tubs, dungeon, cinema or sexy people to meet and play with... and in the end yes its a business and they need to make a profit to keep up standards and stay open! "
I can recall 2 price increases within 6 months of each other only last year  |
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"As for the moaning about the prices, put in perspective like this: there has been no price increase for at least three years prior to this one (what other business can you say that of?) and for the price of a couple on a Wednesday (remember that's ALL day up to midnight) you can get a room in a travel lodge, with no pool, no hot tubs, dungeon, cinema or sexy people to meet and play with... and in the end yes its a business and they need to make a profit to keep up standards and stay open!
I can recall 2 price increases within 6 months of each other only last year "
Yep - last Summer it was £20 for a couple - then it went up to £25 and is now £30.
We still pay it and love the place but that's one helluva leap.
On the upside, at least you can see where they spend it |
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The facts are that Kestrels did not have planning permission to use the site for a private members club and when this matter was raised with them they retrospectively applied for it. This application has been refused because the site is GREEN BELT and needs to be protected! 
The decision has been appealed and the venue remains open as normal.
If people wish to read the paperwork on this google spelthorne council planning kestrals. Particularly amusing is the letter from their neighbour listing the long history of the sites use prior to kestels taking it, as a lorry or car repair centre and breakers.
There were no local resident objections or objections from council officers so this looks to be political victimisation of the sites current use. I hope their appeal is successful.
Interestingly Kestrels are not the only swing venue in the south east to have planning problems at the moment. It seems planning control is being used to limit legal adult activities that councils cannot otherwise do so. |
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By *enithWoman
over a year ago
closer than you think |
"Anybody would think with amount of negativity "_enith" shows toward kestrel she actually wants the club to fail.
"
I would like to think that the male half of this couple knows me better than to believe that .... I was just making an observation on a comment previously made and in fact has been backed up afterwards by Natasha and David |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Anybody would think with amount of negativity "_enith" shows toward kestrel she actually wants the club to fail.
I would like to think that the male half of this couple knows me better than to believe that .... I was just making an observation on a comment previously made and in fact has been backed up afterwards by Natasha and David"
I thought I did know you better than that, but looking at other comments you have made and your profile status just recently, you seem to have been revelling in the problems that kestrel/Abfab have been having.
If you could see the wood for the trees and support the club as others are doing maybe, just maybe it could stay open.
In my opinion _atasha_david have pointed out to you and other bad news revellers that actually this has nothing to do with planning and more to do with swinging and how some people in "power" find this lifestyle abhorrent and will find any reason to stamp it out.
I know you will have the last word on this rightly or wrongly so I will say no more about it.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The facts are that Kestrels did not have planning permission to use the site for a private members club and when this matter was raised with them they retrospectively applied for it. This application has been refused because the site is GREEN BELT and needs to be protected!
The decision has been appealed and the venue remains open as normal.
If people wish to read the paperwork on this google spelthorne council planning kestrals. Particularly amusing is the letter from their neighbour listing the long history of the sites use prior to kestels taking it, as a lorry or car repair centre and breakers.
There were no local resident objections or objections from council officers so this looks to be political victimisation of the sites current use. I hope their appeal is successful.
Interestingly Kestrels are not the only swing venue in the south east to have planning problems at the moment. It seems planning control is being used to limit legal adult activities that councils cannot otherwise do so."
I so hope they survive, I have emailed them to offer them whatever support they need.
Ruddy political classes, they get elected in by us yet we have no idea who they are and they believe they know what is good for us.
Yet if they stripped and lay in the sun in Kestrel meadow they will find (without sex ) that its the most relaxing and relaxed they have ever been.
As a collective, noting some will want their name hidden, I think we should figure out how to make our voice known and save this amazing location.
Dave |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The facts are simple, these clubs come and go. I have seen it all before. When the council gets involved thats game over. They dont like our lifestyle and the things we do, so they stop it. Kestrels/abfabs will shut and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Even if the appeal is successful the council will find another way to close it..... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Hopeful that Kestrels will find a way to keep going - would miss the old place!
On a practical note, my membership expired this month so does anyone know if they are renewing on a 6 month basis despite the possible closure before then?
Any info appreciated! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Kestrels is definitely NOT closed at the moment (for those people on here that actually go!) and while everyone is aware of the planning etc problem why don't we stop speculating and spreading rumors about the situation and just enjoy this wonderful haven for open minded adults while we still can?
As for the moaning about the prices, put in perspective like this: there has been no price increase for at least three years prior to this one (what other business can you say that of?) and for the price of a couple on a Wednesday (remember that's ALL day up to midnight) you can get a room in a travel lodge, with no pool, no hot tubs, dungeon, cinema or sexy people to meet and play with... and in the end yes its a business and they need to make a profit to keep up standards and stay open! "
I agree and love this club...its also incredibly expensive to run a spa....we must all remember they have a heated swimming pool and 2 hot tubs plus sauna and steam room that are heated all year round to a high temperature. That is VERY expensive to run! |
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People might wish to consider mounting a letter campaign in support of the club.
While individuals might be concerned about their privacy, letters with signatures and initials will normally suffice.
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By *lovisMan
over a year ago
Twickenham |
So in a still relatively fragile economic climate the council are spending their residents hard earned money on closing down Kestrels. This will lead to a loss of income to shops and services in the village , the potential loss of several part time jobs and the loss of presumably any commercial rates being paid. It would seem to make economic sense to work with Kestrels to keep them going, rather than punish them for what the council perceive as not respecting them .
Can anyone shed light on the rumour I heard that the initial complaints were from the owner of another establishment who was jealous of Kestrel's success? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We have mailed the spa privately to offer any support. They will contact members if they feel the need to petition the council. As well as local shops suffering local taxi firms and Travelodge will also loss out.
Perhaps the spa should consider drawing up a list of service providers and companies that benefit as a result of their customers. It really is an oasis not far from us and it would be a crying shame if the council has its way.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hopeful that Kestrels will find a way to keep going - would miss the old place!
On a practical note, my membership expired this month so does anyone know if they are renewing on a 6 month basis despite the possible closure before then?
Any info appreciated! "
Apparently even though your membership.has expired you are still kept on file and considered a member. You simply keep going and pay the renewal. So don't throw away the card, just keep it until next time.
They tell me they are renewing and they believe they will survive.
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