Jurassic Coast beach sauna cabin allowed to remain

There is currently a sauna opposite the Grade II listed Anchor Cottage pub

A Seatown beach sauna is to stay in place after a council decided that “the unit causes no harm".

Dorset Council received about 130 letters of support for the Seaside Sauna Haus planning application to remain, along with a petition with about 2,000 signatures.

Previously the council refused the application by Seaside Sauna Haus, which has been on Seatown beach for three years.

The operator, Sarah Higgins from Dorchester, said: "It is not just a structure, it’s a beacon of wellness that encourages this connection all year round.”

The initial application which included three food vans, was turned down as being “harmful” to the Heritage Coast.

In a re-submission for just the sauna, Dorset Council planning officers have decided that “the unit causes no harm to its setting and is a positive benefit to hundreds of people who use it".

Ms Higgins explained that the wheeled, removable unit, opposite the pub is complementary to the Seatown regeneration plan and enhances visits for tourists and local people.

Seatown is a Dorset hamlet situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Ms Higgins said: “There are now many such sauna cabins along the south and other coasts and this is an increasingly popular and healthy recreational activity, along with cold water swimming, with these sauna units being granted planning consent by their respective planning authorities.”

She argued that the small structure is relatively inconspicuous in its setting.

She said: “The sauna symbolises slowing down, recouping and recharging through heating the body and cooling outside."