CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a lap dancing club on the site of a former Southampton church hall could take a massive step forward this week.

On Wednesday, city council licensing bosses must decide on whether to grant an entertainment licence until 2am each day at the currently derelict Chantry Hall in St Mary's.

The bold bid by Philip Waterhouse of RKW Ltd to establish Golden Eyes lap dancing club at the Grade II listed site in Chapel Road has been met with fierce objections from local residents, community leaders, and Hyde Housing Association who own a significant number of properties in the area.

Currently valued at £750,000, Chantry Hall was also previously the home of Jolly's nightclub until its closure in 1997 as well as being a former venue for the Southampton Music & Dance Festival.

The Rev Ian Johnson, Team Rector of Southampton City Centre, said: "The club would be well away from the traditional city centre night-spots and make life difficult for residents. The new vicar of St Mary's will be living right next door and there are also a lot of students and social housing in the area.

"Chantry Hall used to be a great place for church gatherings and it's horrible to see it in such a state. However, turning it into a lap dancing club is not the answer."

Bargate councillor John Arnold, a long-time opponent of the lap dancing club plan, said: "A lap dancing club in a residential area is simply not on. It's a shame that no one else has decided to take a commercial interest in Chantry Hall."

Mr Whitehouse, who took over the building in 1999, also runs lap dancing nightspots in Slough and Uxbridge. He claims to be in a financial position to press on with his plans for a Southampton-based club.

The city's police force has no objection to the planned redevelopment of Chantry Hall, but many residents say a late night lap dancing club will deprive residents of sleep, exacerbate the prostitution problem in the area, and lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour in the locality.

Danny Marlow, 40, whose Maryfield home overlooks Chantry Hall, said: "The building is a white elephant. I wish something was done with it but I don't want a lap dancing club around here. We had enough trouble when it used to be a nightclub. Someone was even shot at with a rifle."