Beach sauna a hot topic for planning committee

THE future of a beach sauna in a Devon village remains uncertain after a heated planning debate about flood risk, writes Bradley Gerrard.

- Bradley Gerrard

Jurassic Saunas had asked for retrospective permission to site its beach sauna on Branscombe beach, but after a nearly 90-minute debate, planners opted to defer a decision.

A key issue that led to the discussion heating up related to flood risk, and concerns about the quality of a flood risk assessment and an evacuation plan in the event of flooding occurring.

East Devon District Council's planning committee heard that while there was public support for the sauna, there were worries about its location as well as a belief that “serious risks” had not been properly assessed.