Plans for a new sauna at Sobo Beach in Southbourne have been given the go ahead after councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.
Sobo, formerly known as Bistro on the Beach, expects the addition of the sauna will support local tourism as demand for coastal wellness facilities continues to grow.
There are already saunas in Poole and Christchurch which are often fully booked weeks in advance and are regularly used by veteran groups and local mental health charities such as Dorset Mind.
The new electric sauna will accommodate up to twenty five guests and will include changing rooms and storage. Its location beside the sea will allow users to practise contrast therapy, alternating between hot and cold exposure, which is associated with health benefits such as reduced stress, improved blood flow, better sleep and cardiovascular support.
In total, sixty nine responses were submitted to the planning committee, with more than two thirds in favour of the development. Concerns about air pollution from the originally planned wood burning stove were addressed by switching to an electric sauna.
Councillor Bernadette Nanovo, representing East Southbourne and Tuckton, told the committee the new facility was “more of a positive than a negative.”
The plans also include Sobo taking over responsibility for maintaining the public toilets on the council-owned site, with improvements such as extra cubicles for women and a new changing space for swimmers.
The application was supported by officers and the recommendation to approve was endorsed by councillors at the meeting.
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