A 26-seat public sauna is being built in our quiet neighbourhood – we're dreading the mad parties

Scottish Sun

a day ago

There would also be a changing room and a cold plunge pool for visitors
HOT AND BOTHERED A 26-seat public sauna is being built in our quiet neighbourhood – we're dreading the mad parties
LOCALS in a quiet Scots neighbourhood have been left worried that they will have to deal with "mad late night parties" after plans for a huge new public sauna were approved.
Proposals for a 26-seat electric community sauna in Inverness were given the green light by councillors this week.
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The sauna is set to be located at Bellfield Park in Inverness
Credit: GOOGLE MAPS
The plans, submitted by Community Sauna Highland, would see a residential area of the city transformed into a public sauna.
It is expected to be located at Bellfield Park and would include a sauna large enough to sit 26 people.
There would also be a changing room and a cold plunge pool for visitors to enjoy.
Councillors met on Wednesday to discuss the proposed plans at the South Planning Applications Committee.
According to BBC News, Highland Council received a total of 12 objections to the plans and just 13 messages of support.
Opposing the plans, Culloden and Ardersier councillor Morven Reid said many locals were worried that it would lead to "mad late night sauna parties".
The hope is we'll achieve something of community benefit.. and it'll be attractive, inclusive, accessible and good for mental health and wellbeing
Michael Gregson
And they feared that this, as well as increased noise, would disturb their currently quiet neighbourhood.
However, it was said at the meeting that councillors had "more than adequately" addressed concerns about the noise levels.
Another concern among objectors was the lack of parking at the park and the effect that this would have on the area if dozens of people flocked to the site on a daily basis.
However, supporters argued that the sauna would improve an "unsightly" corner of the park and make it appeal to locals and visitors alike.
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Council officials approved the plans but imposed certain conditions.
This includes a restriction on noise, and a report stated that the sauna would be blocked from view and screened with hedges.
A member of staff is also required to be at the site at all times, and currently, no music is allowed to be played.
Alcohol is also not allowed at the sauna.
Some officials, including Inverness councillor Isabelle MacKenzie and Caol and Mallaig councillor Liz Saggers, tried to argue to reduce the sauna's opening hours.
They explained that this would help with locals' fears over increased noise; however, this didn't receive majority councillor support.
Inverness Central councillor Michael Gregson said the new sauna is hoped to bring the community together.
He added that it wasn't something that Inverness is used to, but thinks it could "enhance the area".
He said: "The hope is we'll achieve something of community benefit which will enhance the area and it'll be attractive, inclusive, accessible and good for mental health and wellbeing."