It’s reported today that St. Ebbe’s church as lost its appeal against the City Council’s licensing decision to allow regulated sex entertainment at the very nearby Thirst Lodge.  Costs of £12,000 were awarded against the church.

I don’t have much to say about this but thought I should comment as it is in my ward.  Firstly, I don’t think the City Council is here to be the moral guardian of Oxford, or its people, so should not make decisions solely on moral grounds. Secondly, I feel very sorry for both parties as they have both spent a large amount of time and money at an appeal that should probably have never happened.  The original decision was entirely soundly made and entirely within the licensing guidelines and the City Council’s licensing policy.  Finally, I hope that both parties can now enter into dialogue and try to understand the depth and sincerity of each other’s feelings and work out a way to coexist as neighbours as constructively as possible.