A coffee shop which built a sauna in its back garden is hoping to get permission to keep it.
Dozens of people have commented in favour of the plans for the sauna at Flat Out in Church Road, Hove.
The sauna – run as the Sun of a Beach Sauna since October last year – is in a pre-fabricated cube with tinted glazing to the front and timer cladding to the rear.
It is operated during the cafe’s opening hours, with about 70 people a week using it.
It’s powered by a wood-burning stove.
The application, written by Planning by Design, says: “The sauna is positioned within the rear garden of 59 Church Road on a modest raised decked area that forms part of the existing outdoor seating space for the coffee shop.
“While the structure sits slightly elevated above the gravel surface, this does not result in harmful overlooking or loss of privacy to neighbouring properties.
“The garden is enclosed by tall boundary treatments, including masonry walls and timber fencing with trellis, which provide effective screening and ensure that views into adjacent gardens and residential spaces are protected.
“The sauna utilizes a high-efficiency wood-burning stove designed for clean combustion. While the unit is engineered to meet eco-design standards for low emissions, the applicant further mitigates any potential for smoke or odour by using exclusively ready to burn certified kiln-dried timber (moisture less than 20 per cent) and ensuring the stove is operated only by trained staff.
“This combination of high-spec hardware and strict fuel management ensures that the proposal complies with the spirit of the Clean Air Act and protects the amenity of neighbouring residents.
“The proposal does not introduce any significant noise or disturbance beyond the existing café use. The sauna operates only during normal café opening hours and serves a limited number of patrons, reinforcing its ancillary nature.”
It says local run clubs and fitness groups use the sauna, as well as a trans club, a men’s sobriety club and a local networking group.
One commenter says: “As a resident who lives very nearby, I have never experienced any anti-social noise, odours or smoke as a result of the sauna.”
Another says: “I am writing as a local business owner / personal trainer to fully support this application.
“I regularly use the café for client meetings, and the sauna has become a brilliant tool for the recovery sessions I recommend to my clients.”
All details have been redacted so it’s not possible to see whether any are employees or associates of the cafe.
