Sex clubs will face tougher licensing laws after councillors agreed to a new policy giving residents greater powers to object.

New rules were approved by Lambeth Council on Monday, November 7, and will come into effect from Monday, December 19.

Previously anyone wishing to open an adult entertainment establishment was required to apply for a licence just once subject to approval by the licensing sub-committee.

However under the new rules, anyone wishing to open a lap dancing or pole dancing club, adult cinema, or sex shop will be restricted to an automatic 12-month licence.

Tighter controls will mean residents will be able to register any objections each year when a business applies to renew its licence.

Councillor Rachel Heywood, Lambeth Council cabinet member for community safety, said: “I know residents were frustrated by previous arrangements in terms of the lack of powers available to prevent sex establishments from opening.

“This new policy recognises residents' genuine concerns about such premises and provides them with a much greater say on the issue.

“The policy also enables the council to regulate any such premises far more robustly.

“I strongly feel that this approach is the right one to adopt for Lambeth as a ‘nil policy’ could potentially force this activity into illegal activities."

However the council admitted that new rules are unlikely to have any immediate impact in the Lambeth area which currently has only one business licensed to trade as an adult entertainment establishment.

The council also revealed it had not received any applications from businesses wishing to trade as an adult entertainment establishment this year.