Community sauna approved despite concerns over 'mad late night parties'

Plans for a community sauna in an Inverness park have been approved despite concerns from locals that there would be “mad late-night sauna parties.”

Public opinion was split on the site with Inverness residents keen to see proposals get the green light, but nearby homeowners raised noise and local parking concerns.

Councillors debated these local concerns but agreed they were addressed by council planners.

The 26-person electric sauna will be located next to the tennis courts in Bellfield Park and will be open daily.

Applicants Community Sauna Highland said they were “really pleased” the application was approved.

Culloden and Ardersier councillor Morven Reid said some objectors were concerned “mad late night sauna parties” could disturb their neighbourhood if approved.

However, she explained council planners had “more than adequately” addressed concerns around noise on the site.

In expressing her support for the application, councillor Reid said: “The nature of the business is described as tranquil and for relaxation.

“It’s a fun and innovative idea for a dull part of the park,” she added.

Inverness councillor Isabelle MacKenzie and Caol and Mallaig councillor Liz Saggers attempted to reduce the sauna’s operating hours to address noise concerns, but neither received majority councillor support.

Michael Gregson said a sauna in Inverness is “not something we are used to” and is “a challenge for all of us.”

He said: “The hope is we’ll achieve something of community benefit that will enhance the area and it’ll be attractive, inclusive, accessible and good for mental health and wellbeing.”

Councillor Gregson added that having staff on site “generally can’t do any harm in terms of reassurance” for concerned neighbours.

The majority of supporters were hopeful of the social well-being and community benefits of having an all-year-round shared sauna space within walking distance of the city centre.

The proposals attracted support from as far as Tornagrain, with residents there, Martin Pentland and Laura Henderson, praising the development of facilities in Inverness for locals rather than tourists.

However, a group of Bellfield Park residents living adjacent to the proposed site banded together against the plans.

They expressed worries of noise, parking and suggested alternative locations had not been considered.

In a response addressing the comments, project directors Fergus Weir and Pippa Hembry said a sauna session is a “quiet, reflective and restful act.”

They also said the Bellfield park location was chosen because of its easier city access, which they hope would reduce the number of cars looking to park at the site.

Council planners agreed and said the site would be “compatible and complementary” with the other facilities at the park.

While the capacity of the sauna is 26, Community Sauna Highland anticipate the electrically-heated room will rarely be at full capacity.

A “sauna host” will run the site and assist users over 90-minute sessions throughout the day.

During a session, visitors can expect access to a range of hot to cold treatments including a cold plunge or shower and benches.

The sauna will first open with reduced hours but anticipate future daily opening hours of 8am-10pm, after having been granted a public entertainment licence.

Some sessions will run shorter at 45 minutes, to allow those more pressed for time the chance to experience the sauna.

In reaction to the approval, director of Community Sauna Highland Fergus Weir said: “We are grateful to everyone who has supported and contributed to the development of this not for profit sauna.

Mr Weir continued that operating out of Bellfield Park is a “privilege” and helps to bring “an authentic sauna experience to benefit the health and well being of the Inverness community.”

“We hope to take good care of the park, the local community and the sauna bathers that visit.”