A strip club for historic Rochester has been rejected in an unprecedented move.

Councillors threw out the plans by Casino Rooms nightclub boss Aaron Stone after a five-hour hearing which broke for several legal arguments.

A panel heard 278 people signed a petition against Tenshi, which would have been in the high street indoor market.

But Mr Stone and his colleague Ross Hutchins said 258 people signed one in their favour.

Panel chairman Cllr David Carr (Con) said the “size and predominant use” as a strip club turned them against the plans.

They also said the club’s entrance in Corporation Street would be too close to a public library and bus stop, and just 50 yards from the Casino Rooms - which already hosts another strip club called Tenshi.

Historic Rochester residents’ association secretary Sarah Griffin attacked “misleading” claims in Mr Stone’s report.

She claimed he was applying for a second licence to win a monopoly, because only two licences are allowed in historic Rochester.

Mr Hutchins said it was to “keep options open”, admitting: “We’re not coming here with a finished property.”

“From Dickens to the naval days there has been a history of adult activity in our town”

But he slammed the “trial by media” after new laws on stripping specific licences “inflamed the situation for an activity that was previously hidden.”

He added: “From Dickens to the naval days there has always been a history of adult activity in our town.”

Panel member Cllr Jane Etheridge (Con) questioned the ethics of employing 18-year-old strippers. “They don’t even leave school until they’re 18,” she added.

Mr Hutchins highlighted online porn and top-shelf magazines. He challenged residents to produce hard evidence of crime near strip clubs.

“There’s very much an underlying sentiment of NIMBYism, of ‘not in my back yard’, in the points you’re raising,” he said.

The current Tenshi was warned for advertising too blatantly, he admitted - but the offending sign was only up for 48 hours and was another firm’s fault.

Any performer on drugs would lose their job and the venue, part of which would run as a restaurant, would have 16 CCTV cameras.

But ward councillor Kelly Tolhurst (Con) said: “We’re talking about a very small high street that’s not like Brighton or the City of Westminster.

“I don’t want to see our high street turned into the lap dancing centre of Kent.”

Historic Rochester residents’ association chairman Philip Ruby said: “The residents are not against the evening economy. We’re part of the evening economy - we all go to the restaurants and the pubs. What we’re objecting to is the night-time economy.”

And City of Rochester Society chairman John Allison rejected strip shows yards from the chalet where Charles Dickens wrote his final words.

“About 200 coaches arrive near there every day during the festivals,” he said. “Who would want to open a business next door?”

A poll on our website had more than 300 responses, with 47% against the plan. Some 18% were in favour with another 24% saying they had no problem with the plans but would not visit.

Mr Stone denied he was disappointed. “That’s the process and we have to follow it,” he said after the meeting.

“We’re going to go away and think about it and see what our options are.”

Mr Ruby said: “Medway Council has got it right at last and woken up to the problems in the high street.”