A NEW beach sauna opening in Christchurch has been allowed to extend its opening hours.

The new Saltwater Sauna at Avon Beach is due to officially open on Monday, October 14.

When the owners were first granted permission for the facility, a planning condition was set limiting the sauna’s opening hours.

But Saltwater Sauna Ltd requested the condition was varied to become: ‘The saunas shall not operate outside the hours of 6.30am and 9pm between September 1 and June 30, and 6.30am and 10.30pm between July 1 and August 31.’

The application was taken to BCP Council’s planning committee meeting, after it received more than 20 letters of objection.

Residents were concerned the longer opening hours would bring noise, anti-social behaviour and increased pedestrian traffic to the beach. 

A report to the planning committee recommended the application for approval, with case officer Melanie Smith saying: “The proposals will support a new small scale business providing jobs and bringing income into the area.

“The proposed increase in opening hours will increase the opportunity for visitors and local residents to use the facility, supporting tourism and visitor spend in the local area.”