Tougher rules on opening sex clubs are to be brought in by Lambeth Council.

The new powers will give the council wider grounds to refuse applications for sex establishments, and offer residents more of a say.

Currently the council can only turn down an application for a pole dancing, lap dancing or strip club if it can show the club would cause an increase in crime, harm public safety, cause a public nuisance or because children would be put at risk.

Under new powers agreed by the council’s cabinet on Monday, the council will be able to take in account how the club would effect the character of a neighbourhood for the first time.

It also allows the council to set a limit for the total number of sex venues in an area, and take this into account when considering new applications.

John Smith, licensing manager at Lambeth Council, said: “It’s been a source of tremendous frustration to residents that the council’s hands have been effectively tied until now, and councillors on the licensing panel have not been able to stop strip clubs opening in their neighbourhood, even when there has been strong opposition.

“These new powers give residents a greater say and councillors wider grounds to down applications.”

The new laws must now be approved by the full council in July.