Latest news with #SamilouSaunders
Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Pole dancer can keep garage studio despite neighbours' complaints of ‘grunting'
A fitness instructor can use her garage as a pole dancing studio after winning a fight with neighbours. Samilou Saunders has been running the studio from her £700,000 bungalow in Christchurch, Dorset, for the last five years, but faced having to close it after neighbours complained. They said the business had 'devastated' their lives, causing problems with parking, and complained about the sound of 'grunting and loud music'. Meanwhile, the studio's clients, said to include doctors and teachers, accused elderly neighbours of 'generational bias' against pole dancing. Ms Saunders, a mother in her 40s, had to submit a retrospective planning application for a change of use of the garage into what she called a 'modest and sustainable' small social enterprise. She is the only employee of the business and generally works about 20 hours a week, with small classes of up to eight. But residents expressed concerns that the business hours – 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to midday at weekends – could mean classes running 66 hours a week, with 500 cars blocking the street in that time. The planning committee voted to approve the application, with seven in favour, none against and two abstaining, with a condition that no amplified music be played in the garage during business use. They restricted the business use to indoor sport and fitness and ruled the building must revert back to a domestic garage if the business ends. 'No personal animosity' Rita Raynor, who spoke on behalf of objectors at a planning committee meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, said most of the letters of support were from people outside the area who did not have to live with the business. Ms Raynor said after the meeting she was 'disappointed', adding: 'We accept that people have to make a living, there's no personal animosity.' ' We are not against it because it's pole dancing, if it had been anything else, like a children's party business, we would feel the same.' Mrs Saunders said she had no further comment. But she previously told reporters the row had led her to ignore neighbours in the street, saying: 'This has been going on for nearly two years. It's been a lot of stress and I've been really down about it. 'Horrible and shocking comments' 'Some of the things neighbours said were quite horrible and shocking. I don't feel like I can wave and smile at people any more. I feel intimidated. They [objectors] will stand and stare at me when I leave the house.' Neighbours also had the backing of Margaret Phipps, a local councillor, who said the studio was 'unsuitable' for a residential area. She said: 'This is a seven-day-a-week operation. It is overwhelmingly being used for the unauthorised business which commenced as soon as the permission [for the garage] was granted.' She denied the hours were 'limited' and said locals had 'no respite', adding: 'There is potential if this application is granted for 528 people a week, with no suggestion of a cap on the number of people. 'This is a full-scale commercial business in a residential area. It was granted in good faith as a garage by this council.'
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pole dancer WINS planning battle to keep dance studio despite 'prudish' neighbours complaining of 'grunting and loud noise'
A pole dancer has won a planning battle with 'prudish' neighbours over her home studio following complaints of 'grunting and loud noise'. Samilou Saunders has been running the studio from her garage at her £700,000 bungalow in the affluent suburb of Christchurch, Dorset, since the pandemic. However, it faced the threat of closure after receiving an influx of complaints from scores of furious neighbours. Claiming that the controversial business was 'devastating' their lives due to parking issues, the disgruntled residents even complained about the sound of 'grunting and loud music' when the pole dancing classes were taking place. Meanwhile, local councillor Margaret Phipps supported the opposition, arguing that the business was 'inappropriate' for residential neighbours. But Ms Saunders' clientele, said to include doctors, accountants, vets, nurses and school teachers, argued that it was 'generational bias' from largely elderly residents who did not like the pole dancing nature of the business. Now, a planning committee at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council has voted to approve a retrospective planning application submitted by Ms Saunders to change the use of the garage from residential to a mixed-use space. The mother, who submitted the application in January, got the support of seven councillors who voted in favour, while none voted against and two abstained. But Rita Raynor, who spoke on behalf of the objectors at a planning committee meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, said most of the letters of support were from people outside the area who did not have to live with it. Ms Saunders had previously described the studio as a 'modest and sustainable' small social enterprise. As the only employee, she insisted that she generally works about 20 hours a week, holding small classes of up to eight people spread across all seven days. Her planning application lists the studio's hours as 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12pm on weekends. The timetable on her website shows only one or two classes per day during the week, usually around 10am and again at 6 or 7pm. She also stated that the studio is fitted with air conditioning, meaning windows and doors remain closed during sessions, and that music is not audible from outside. She also noted that music is not played during the classes themselves. However, neighbours expressed grave concerns that the business hours could mean classes running 66 hours over the week, with 500 people and cars coming and going. Alan Forage, 83, a retired scientist who lives next door, said: 'We (the residents) are all reasonably old and at our age we just want peace and quiet in a nice area, a quiet life. 'In the summer when windows are open you hear grunting and loud music and chatting when the pole dancing classes are on.' Neighbour John Thompson wrote: 'We, the residents, have put up with this intrusion into a totally quiet residential area with a devastating effect on our amenity. 'We are the people who have experienced the significant disruption from the noise from the pole dancing music and the effect of the parking not only the road but also on our grass verges which we maintain on a regular basis.' Another couple living nearby said that the pole dancing studio was having an adverse impact on their 'mental health and wellbeing'. Meanwhile, councillor Phipps slammed the 'seven day a week operation' adding that there was 'no respite' for local residents. She added: 'These are not what I would call limited hours. 'This is a full scale commercial business in a residential area. It was granted in good faith as a garage by this council.' The planning committee agreed to introduce some conditions to protect neighbours' amenity, with a condition for no amplified music during business use. The business use will also be restricted to indoor sport and fitness. If the business ceases, the building must then revert back to normal use as a domestic garage. But Ms Raynor said she was 'disappointed' with the committee's outcome, adding that it showed 'little consideration to the neighbourhood'. The planning committee agreed to introduce some conditions to protect neighbours' amenity, with a condition for no amplified music during business use. It came after local councillor Margaret Phipps argued that the business was 'inappropriate' for a residential neighbours. She added: 'A seven-day a week business, with 66 hours of operation is an excessive situation for neighbours to deal with. 'We accept that people have to make a living, there's no personal animosity. 'We are not against it because it's pole dancing, if it had been anything else, like a children's party business, we would feel the same. 'It's simply a residential area and we would like to enjoy our properties without a commercial business impacting on that. 'We would have like some restrictions around classes and number of people, a bit more protection and consideration for us as people.' Ms Saunders said that she had no further comment. However, she previously shared that the ongoing complaints had strained the relationship with her neighbours, even leading to her ignoring them in the street. Reflecting on the tiresome neighbour row, she said: 'This has been going on for nearly two years. It's been a lot of stress and I've been really down about it. 'Some of the things neighbours said were quite horrible and shocking. 'I don't feel like I can wave and smile at people anymore, I feel intimidated. They (objectors) will stand and stare at me when I leave the house.'
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pole dancer is set to win planning battle to keep dance studio at her £700,000 bungalow despite angry neighbours' complaints over 'grunting and loud noise'
A pole dancer is on track to win the planning battle to keep a dance studio at her posh £700,000 bungalow despite locals' complaints of 'grunting and loud music'. Samilou Saunders has been battling 'generational bias' from neighbours in the town who are against her business. She has operated the studio from her bungalow in Christchurch, Dorset, for the past two years, but it faced the threat of closure after complaints were raised by local residents. Neighbours argued that the studio was having a 'devastating' impact on their lives, pointing to loud music during classes and parking problems. They were supported by local councillor Margaret Phipps, who deemed the business 'inappropriate' for a residential neighbourhood. However, Mrs Saunders, whose clientele includes doctors, accountants, vets, nurses, and school teachers, believes the opposition stems more from discomfort with a pole dancing studio in the area than genuine concerns. Now in her 40s, Mrs Saunders was required to submit a retrospective planning application in January in a bid to continue running the studio. Now, planning officers at Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council have recommended it be approved. In his report, planning officer Peter Walters recommended introducing conditions to curb noise disturbance and restrict opening hours in an effort to address the complaints. Mrs Saunders said she felt a sense of relief but admitted the dispute has strained her relationship with her neighbours. She said: 'This has been going on for nearly two years now. It's been a lot of stress and I've been really down about it. 'Some of the things neighbours said were quite horrible and shocking. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I'm glad the planning officer has seen through the lies about music and noise. 'If I honestly thought I was causing an issue I would have gone round to my neighbours and said what can I do to sort this out? 'I don't feel like I can wave and smile at people anymore, I feel intimidated. They (objectors) will stand and stare at me when I leave the house. 'I'm very pleased with the report, I'm feeling really positive about the outcome. 'I'm hoping when it's all over, we can just move on, but I don't feel like I'm quite there yet.' The mother previously ran a studio in Bournemouth but relocated the business to her home during the Covid pandemic, continuing operations there due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. She is the sole employee and typically works around 20 hours per week, holding small classes of up to eight people, spread throughout all seven days. Her planning application lists the studio's hours as 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12pm on weekends. However, the timetable published on her website shows only one or two classes per day during the week, usually around 10am and again at 6 or 7pm. She stated that the studio is fitted with air conditioning, meaning windows and doors remain closed during sessions, and that music is not audible from outside. She also noted that music is not played during the classes themselves. Despite this, neighbours insisted the business was ruining their enjoyment of their homes and the surrounding neighbourhood. Alan Forage, 83, a retired scientist who lives next door, said: 'We (the residents) are all reasonably old and at our age we just want peace and quiet in a nice area, a quiet life. 'In the summer when windows are open you hear grunting and loud music and chatting when the pole dancing classes are on.' Neighbour John Thompson wrote: 'We, the residents, have put up with this intrusion into a totally quiet residential area with a devastating effect on our amenity. 'We are the people who have experienced the significant disruption from the noise from the pole dancing music and the effect of the parking not only the road but also on our grass verges which we maintain on a regular basis. 'This application should be rejected and the building brought back in line with the original planning approval, namely construction of an enlarged replacement garage, not an unauthorised pole dancing business in the heart of a quiet residential area.' Dorothy and Michael English wrote: 'We feel that our home is no longer as enjoyable. We can no longer use the garden freely. Our mental health and wellbeing is being affected.' The BCP planning committee will vote on the matter at a meeting next week. Mrs Saunders said: 'I am still a bit on edge for the meeting. 'I've been told the councillors would have to have a good reason to refuse it and go against the officer's recommendation.'
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Pole dancer hits back at elderly neighbours who say they have had enough of the 'grunting' coming from her home studio
A pole dancer has hit back at her elderly neighbours who strongly object to her home studio - amid claims that 'grunting' and 'loud music' from her workshops have left them 'feeling totally hopeless'. Samilou Saunders converted the garage at her £700,000 bungalow in Christchurch, Dorset, to accommodate a range of pole dancing and aerial fitness classes. The resulting business, Samilou Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio, provides sessions over 20 hours a week, with attendees calling the classes 'inspirational'. But not all are fans of the concept, with several neighbours lodging formal objections to Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council about the noise and parking issues that have arisen since Samilou began her classes. She submitted a retrospective planning application to change the use of the garage from residential to a mixed-use space, in a bid to keep running the classes out of her home studio. However, scores of nearby residents who object to her business have written to the council to have their say on the matter. One unapologetically wrote: 'The noise from activity and loud music emanating from this prohibited use of the building, can be heard, on a daily basis and is spoiling our daily living and enjoyment of our home, leaving us feeling totally hopeless, and constantly stressed.' Samilou has now spoken out against her detractors and said her neighbours have 'completely the wrong idea'. She claims an environmental officer who visited did not seem to have any concerns about noise, and pointed to the fact that people of all ages attend her classes - including a 72-year-old, who has been pole dancing for the last 16 years. Samilou told The Sun: 'This is my absolute dream of 20 years, having my own studio, and I'm trying to do everything right. 'To be honest, I feel whatever I do will not be right, people around here are elderly, and I think they have just got completely the wrong idea about pole dancing classes.' In an effort to appease local residents, Samilou said she had even removed her business logo - a silhouette of a pole dancer - from her car so as not to cause offence. Samilou added: 'I think the grunting comment was a reference to my husband using a personal gym he has, but that has nothing to do with the studio and he is definitely not loud.' There are those however who still 'vehemently oppose' the business. One wrote to the council: 'This is a quiet residential area where residents quietly go about their every day. This is not an area to accommodate a business.' Another described the studio as 'a big nuisance'. They said: 'The noise coming from the studio is loud and starts with morning classes going through to the evening including weekends. 'As this is a quiet residential area I feel such a business should take place in an industrial unit or a commercial building with ample parking facilities which are plentiful in this area.' A third called the application - which states that the proposed change of use is well-suited for the location - 'little more than wishful thinking and not the reality.' They wrote: 'The assertion in the application that allowing the aerial fitness studio business to proceed 'is a practical and beneficial decision that aligns with the needs of the client, the community, and the surrounding environment' is incorrect. 'It may well align with the needs of the client, but is at odds with the community and surrounding environment. 'That the studio 'will provide a valuable service to the local community by promoting health and wellness in a controlled, safe environment' is also a bit of a stretch, given that the immediate local community is predominantly made up of people either at or approaching retirement age, which would be the exception and not the core demographic for aerial fitness sessions.' Others say however they were 'surprised' to hear people had objected. One resident, who regularly walks his dog in the area, wrote: 'Firstly there is plenty of parking in the area especially for the small number of cars that attend so this does not affect anyone. 'The people attending are quiet and respectful when going to and from their class. I can also say that there is no noise whatsoever coming from the building during the period when the classes are in progress as we walk multiple times around the block in the morning and evening throughout the year and have heard nothing. 'Pole Dancing is a respected and well known fitness and sport and I feel we should be supporting local small businesses like this who are benefiting locals with health and mental wellbeing. 'I do not see any difference between this and say a chiropractor or physiotherapist that really supports the local community and does this respectfully.' Another said the classes had 'truly made a positive impact' on her daughter. She wrote: When I pick her up, she's like a different person, happy, energized and excitedly sharing everything she's learned and achieved. 'These classes give her a much needed escape from the difficulties she faces in everyday life.' A decision has yet to be made on the application.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Our lives are being ruined by neighbourhood POLE DANCER who hosts classes in garage – grunting & music is a nightmare
The emotional instructor gave her side of the story DANCE OFF Our lives are being ruined by neighbourhood POLE DANCER who hosts classes in garage – grunting & music is a nightmare Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COASTAL town with one of the largest populations of OAPs in the country seems like the last place you'd likely find a pole dancing class. But the elderly neighbours of one instructor, who offers lessons to locals in Christchurch, Dorset, have had enough of the incessant "grunting" coming from her home studio. 6 Samilou Saunders' home in Dorset where she holds controversial pole dancing classes Credit: BNPS 6 Classes are run out of the converted garage of her £700,000 bungalow Credit: Instagram/SamilouStudio 6 But the energetic activities have left residents outraged Credit: Instagram/samiloustudio Samilou Saunders, who currently runs the sessions from her converted garage at her £700,000 bungalow, has now had to submit a planning application to continue using the space for lessons thanks to her prude neighbours. The converted garage, which features aerial fitness hoops, silk sashes and several poles, is where she holds up to 20 hours of classes a week for her company Samilou Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio. Fans of the workshops have accused neighbours of "generational bias", but those living nearby have had enough of the "loud music, grunting and chatting" coming from the garage on their peaceful street. Samilou, who spoke to The Sun to give her side of the story, has even been forced to remove her business logo, a silhouette of a pole dancer, from her car so not to offend anyone. Local Alan Forage, 83, told us: "We residents are all reasonably old and at our age we just want peace and quiet in a nice area." Alan complained about the "grunting and loud music" heard in summer when windows were left open. Other neighbours who live at the rear of Samilou's property claim the studio is "spoiling our daily living and enjoyment of our home." Several letters of objection have been lodged with Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council from locals, complaining about noise and parking problems caused by the fitness studio. In an objection to the application, neighbours said: "The noise from activity and loud music emanating from this prohibited building can be heard on a daily basis." As a result, they say they are left "feeling totally hopeless and constantly stressed." 'My dream of 20 years' Samilou was emotional when commenting on the ongoing planning battle, saying that the war with neighbours had been taking its toll. She says: "This is my absolute dream of 20 years, having my own studio, and I'm trying to do everything right. "But it's been going on for ages now, and some of the comments made online have just been awful." They have just got completely the wrong idea about pole dancing classes Samilou Saunders Showing off her studio, which has state-of-the-art equipment, Samilou said: "It's air conditioned, so we don't even have the windows open. "The music is really low because I want to create a nice calm atmosphere. "To be honest, I feel whatever I do will not be right, people around here are elderly, and I think they have just got completely the wrong idea about pole dancing classes. "They are welcome to come along and have a look if they'd like and join a class. I have people of all ages, all professions as students. Linda is my oldest and she is just wonderful, a great advert." Linda Ryan, 72, has been a student of Samilou's for 16 years and puts her fantastic physique down to pole dancing. She was "devastated" when the classes had to be halted during Covid and says she would be again if Samilou were forced to shut her studio. In a letter to planning bosses, she said: 'As a more mature student, I greatly appreciate Sami's small, quiet classes and her individual attention to my requirements and physical limitations. 6 The instructor told The Sun it had been her dream for 20 years to have her own studio Credit: BNPS 6 The pole dancing studio is set up in Samilou's home with state-of the -art equipment Credit: Instagram/samiloustudio 6 The quiet street where the studio is located in Christchurch, Dorset Credit: BNPS 'I benefit both physically and mentally from Sami's classes - and retaining a high level of flexibility and stamina is a huge bonus for my ballroom dancing. 'In addition, my husband, who is also my ballroom dance partner, is proud to announce to anyone who will listen that his wife is still a glamorous pole dancer. I sincerely hope I will be enjoying Sami's classes for many years to come.' We, the residents, are all reasonably old and at our age we just want peace and quiet in a nice area. Alan Forage, 83 Speaking at her home in Bournemouth, Linda added: 'Samilou has had such a big backlash on social media, it's very upsetting. I've sent my support in for her application.' Samilou added: "I think the grunting comment was a reference to my husband using a personal gym he has, but that has nothing to do with the studio and he is definitely not loud." Despite the complaint, Samilou has taken appropriate steps to reduce any noise, even welcoming an environmental health officer into her home. She says: "I did ask an environmental health officer about whether people chatting was a nuisance and he said 'no not at all.' "He came to have look and did not seem to have any concerns at all, so I am hopeful." 'Classes are highlight of my week' Samilou, whose 12-year-old daughter is a junior pole dancing champion, is also being backed by Dr Gemma Westcott, who calls her 'inspirational.' Supporting her application to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council she wrote: 'These classes are a highlight of my week. 'Pole is an incredible aerial sport and form of exercise, those of us who attend feel stronger, happier and undeniably more confident.' "I would be absolutely devastated if they ended." One of Samilou's immediate neighbours says she is also hoping the studio gets approved, saying: "My daughter is getting married and I'd like to book it out for the hen party. I think it would be great fun." Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council told The Sun that they could not comment at this time. A council spokesperson said that the "application is still under consideration" with several objection letters lodged.
