A nudist club with 300 members has been left fuming after a council approved plans for a tower block overlooking its grounds.
The White House Club in Whyteleafe, Surrey, boasts that its members can swim in the nude in its 50ft outdoor swimming pool, relax in its sauna, or play tennis on its two outdoor courts.
Naturists can also enjoy nude ping pong, basketball, badminton and bowls and take part in a range of events, including barbecues and sing-songs in the confines of the five acre club.
The cheek of it: A nudist club with 300 members has been left fuming after a council approved plans for a tower block overlooking its grounds (picture posed by models)
But the 'paradise' is now set to come to an end after the local council gave the green light to knock down a disused office block just 300 yards away and replace it with a five-storey block of flats.
Nudists are 'furious' with Tandridge District Council after its planning committee approved the 167-flat tower block, saying residents will be able to see them in the 'altogether' as they prance around in the buff.
The club, which opened in 1933, has a membership ranging in age from two to 90 and counts nurses, teachers, electricians and an airline pilot in its ranks and had 10 bedrooms for residents to stay in.
White House Club director David Mason, speaking after planning permission was granted this week, said that scores of members had complained to the council and that he was 'disappointed' with the decision.
He said: ‘We're disappointed at the decision.
The site: The White House Club in Whyteleafe, Surrey, (located by the red arrow) - and the five-storey tower block is to be constructed across the road (marked by white circle)
‘Our members playing tennis or standing in front of our clubhouse can be overlooked, especially when the screening trees' foliage is down.
‘We want to see measures put in which preclude overlooking, and protect our environment, which has been a haven of tranquillity and recreation for more than 70 years.’
Naturist and mother-of-two Wendy, 33, from Croydon, added: ‘This is a lovely, relaxed place where the children and I can come and enjoy its privacy.
‘I would be concerned if an overlooking building attracted undesirable elements.’
Another nudist, who did not want to be named, said she would 'not feel comfortable' being overlooked by so many people.
The 26-year-old secretary said: ‘I certainly would not feel comfortable with people watching me swimming, sunbathing or playing tennis in the nude.
‘Not that I'm ashamed of my body, but I don't want any Tom, Dick or Harry staring at me from their windows.’
Reconstruction: The site which is soon to be turned into a five-storey tower block
The club's website states that it is a great place to 'unwind', adding: ‘Our beautiful naturist club is one of the nicest places to exercise, unwind and enjoy being naked in nature.
‘Whether you want to swim naked every morning or simply enjoy getting an all-over tan during a summer weekend, our club is there for all our members to enjoy.
‘The fun doesn't stop when winter comes - our pool is kept at 28C all year and is well used whatever the British weather brings.
‘Skinny-dipping in our 50ft swimming pool is reason enough to join the club, but other sports include tennis on our two full-size tennis courts and we have indoor and outdoor table tennis, an exercise room, a badminton court, a basketball hoop, a volleyball area and a picturesque and very popular Boules court.’
The club even has a 'fully-stocked' bar, TV room and conservatory and regularly hosts gigs, poetry readings, concerts, dinner parties and sports days.
Councillor Sakina Bradbury said this week: ‘Putting homes in must be better than what's there now.’
As part of the plans the builders - Comer Homes - must include 40 affordable homes in the 167-flat block and building is expected to start in the next several months.
