Pole dancer hits back at elderly neighbours who say they have had enough of the 'grunting' coming from her home studio
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.
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