Saltwater Sauna could make temporary move to Avon Beach

The owners of the popular Saltwater Sauna on Sandbanks beach in Poole have plans to move it to Avon Beach for a ‘temporary’ period.

They have submitted a planning application, under their company The Saltwater Sauna Ltd, to request the move.

If greenlit, the Saltwater Sauna would be able to stay at Avon Beach until September 2024, and a brand-new sauna would be installed at the original Sandbanks location.

The Saltwater Sauna at Sandbanks

The owners add that in “due course” a more permanent sauna would be opened at Avon Beach in place of a number of existing beach huts at the location.

• Read more: Review of Sandbanks Saltwater Sauna in Poole

Justification of the plans is included in a planning and heritage statement submitted to BCP Council.

It reads: “The proposed development aims to bring health and wellbeing benefits of combining a sea swim with a sauna to the local residents and visitors to Avon Beach as it has previously in Poole.

The Saltwater Sauna in Sandbanks (Image: Pure Town Planning)

“It is considered that the proposed unit with its temporary and low-key nature and the use of natural materials would fit comfortably into this setting without harm to the characteristics of the locality.”

• Read more: The Coffee Cabin opens on Avon Beach after rebuild

If approved, the temporary sauna would be positioned on a section of Avon Beach near the public car park.

Nearby, there is already a complex of buildings including a restaurant, a lifeguards’ hut and a row of wooden beach huts.

Proposed location of the temporary sauna (Image: Pure Town Planning)

There is also a view from the end of the promenade towards Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight.

The planning and heritage statement continues: “It is not considered that the proposed sauna would impede these views given the promenade is forward of the proposed position.

“As the proposed sauna is positioned to one side, at a lower level (on the sand) and in the context of any vehicles parked in the adjacent car park, it is not considered that it would be harmful to the setting.”

A decision is yet to be made on the planning application.