Adding short-term holiday lets, a café and yoga studio to an existing sauna and artists’ studio space in central Brighton is recommended for approval next week.
Yoyo Yard in Cheltenham Place, Brighton, has applied for a change of use for the site to allow for the lets and also for restoration of the historic sliding doors and creation of a disabled access.
The company has operated at the “mixed-use” site since 2025, according to its planning application for the site which is in the North Laine Conservation Area.
The application, which was put together by Yoyo’s agent, Lewis and Co Planning, said: “The expansion of the leisure offering at the site complements the ongoing nature of the business, as users of the sauna have requested further facilities at the site.
“These are in the form of a steam room, and larger changing/WC facilities. Further, the provision of an on-site café creates a more attractive and marketable site for potential artists occupying the studios.
“The applicant has taken a lease on the existing holiday let units which are situated above the access to the site.
“From review of the planning history of the site, it would appear these do not benefit from planning permission.
“The provision of letting rooms allows the applicants to expand their business to offer wellbeing-centred stays in the city.
“Further, this accommodation allows for the offering of sauna-specific training, establishing Brighton as a destination for sauna enthusiasts and specialists.”
Four rooms have already been in use as holiday lets on the first floor of the building.
A report to Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee said that the lets could not be used as separate self-contained flats. This would protect the neighbours and future occupants because they were not suitable for use as separate homes.
More than 30 objections have been sent to the council including one from the North Laine Community Association.
The association had no objection to the expansion of the sauna and associated facilities but was concerned about the short-term lets.
The association said: “While the planning statement says that these lets would be ‘for site users’, it is difficult to know how to distinguish this use, in practice, from any other central Brighton short-term let.
“The community’s concern about the proliferation of short-term lets in the North Laine is well known to officers and illustrated in the objections made to this and recent STL (short-term lets) applications which have been refused.”
An anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “I’m strongly opposed to further Airbnbs being set up in a historic part of a city that already has an extensive housing crisis-especially as these holidaymakers are often loud, badly behaved and leave the public realm in disrepair.
“I understand the units are currently used as studios for local artists and, as many such spaces in the city are already closing (eg, New England House), I’d request the council consider how the application can be approved while maintaining space for the creative industries-which are a vital contributor to our city’s culture and economy.”
There are also 24 supporting comments, praising the improvements to the existing facilities and the benefits to the local arts scene.
Disabled Action Brighton supported the application and said: “Brighton is deeply inaccessible to those with disabilities, especially those who require mobility aids to get about.
“Many of Brighton’s spaces are designed in ways that exclude disabled people. Issues like the lack of ramps, lack of lifts and missing accessible amenities all effectively bar us from enjoying much of our city and from being part of the local community.”
An anonymous supporter, whose details were also redacted by the council, said: “I have been attending regularly and have seen first-hand how popular it has become.
“It clearly meets a real local need, bringing together artists, wellbeing activities, community facilities and a warm social environment in a way that feels thoughtful and appropriate for the area.”
The council’s Planning Committee is due to decide the application in a meeting at Hove Town Hall that is scheduled to start at 1pm next Wednesday (28 October).
