Residents to have their say on 'love motel'

Disgruntled residents living near a proposed Brazilian "love motel" on Auckland's North Shore will get the chance to voice their concerns later this month.

North Shore City Council has approved a land use consent for the proposed 11-room Desire Motel, in a light industrial area of the suburb of Glenfield, and is processing an application for a brothel licence for the site.

A council dispensation hearing will be held on April 23, where residents can voice their concerns about the proximity of the motel to the nearby residential area.

After that a decision would be made on the licence application.

Nearby businesses had earlier decided not to hire out carpark spaces to the motel. They are needed for resource consent.

Desire Motel director Frederico Ronnau said he was aware some neighbours were not happy with the motel's arrival.

He said the "Brazilian Motel", or what Japanese call "love hotel" was not a brothel, although sex workers might use the premises.

The rooms catered for couples who had no privacy at home or singles requiring a rendezvous.

But auto electrician Mike Barlow said there was concern the motel would draw a criminal element at night.

North Shore City Council environmental protection team leader Warwick Robertson said the commercial area zoning meant the operation was allowed, whether it was a motel or a brothel.

Resource consent was approved for the motel on February 2, where only the issues of traffic and parking were considered.

- NZPA