Dunnstown resident Leanne Hart, inset, has set up a Facebook group protesting the plan to turn Kryal Castle into a brothel. Picture: Daniel Hartley-Allen
A PROPOSAL to open a high-end brothel at Kryal Castle has been received with mixed reaction by neighbours of the Mount Warrenheip icon.While some Dunnstown residents laughed and said they would not be offended by a brothel opening up on their street, one was so disgusted she set up a Facebook site in protest.This follows an announcement on Tuesday that a Brunswick businessman wants to buy Kryal Castle and turn it into a brothel.Andrew Hewinson, owner of a Lygon Street brothel is prepared to pay up to $10 million for the medieval-themed property when it is auctioned tomorrow.Mr Hewinson said Kryal Castle could become a spa resort-type venue for international VIPs willing to pay top dollar. He said the high-end customers could be flown to the venue by helicopter.Dunnstown woman Leanne Hart, 31, was so horrified by Mr Hewinson's proposal that she has set up a Facebook group asking people to protest against the plan. "We have a family with young kids living up the road, an elderly couple living next door and they are all disgusted," Ms Hart said.However, her anti-brothel views are not shared by everyone at Dunnstown.Kerry Moran, who lives next door to Kryal Castle, believes a brothel at the theme park would not affect many people in the district. "As long as they keep to themselves and don't cause trouble, I think a brothel could be okay," said Ms Moran, who also works at Leigh Creek Roadhouse, opposite the road leading to Kryal Castle."The brothel was the talk of the roadhouse this morning, in fact the talk of the district. Many of the locals don't seem to be fazed."Information about the 27-hectare property has been sent to about 90 individuals and groups identified as possible buyers at tomorrow's auction.
