A MOVE to outlaw sex establishments in Basingstoke town centre is set to be agreed following a period of public consultation.

However, a bid to put a blanket ban on the entire borough has been defeated after advisors warned it was not legally sound.

This summer, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will be inviting comments on its draft sex establishment policy. Members of the council’s licensing committee had sought a borough-wide “nil policy”, but legal advice said this could leave the local authority open to challenge. This is because the council can only place an outright ban on a “locality”, and the borough was considered too large.

However, members are pressing ahead with a “nil policy” within Basingstoke town centre.

Outside of the town centre, a stringent set of rules are set to be put in place meaning sex establishments, such as lap dancing clubs and sex shops, cannot be opened near schools, community facilities and residential accommodation.

The public will have the chance to comment on the draft strategy in June.