Latest news with #AnnWarwick
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Monstrous 25-person sauna will destroy our sea view & leave us trapped inside our clifftop homes
RESIDENTS overlooking a popular beach have been left furious over proposals to build a 25-person sauna. The trendy development has left locals concerned about the health risks of the wood-fired relaxation retreat. 7 7 7 Saltwater Sauna LTD has unveiled plans to build a 25-person sauna on the promenade at Southbourne Beach in Bournemouth, Dorset. It has left residents in the cliff-top flats overlooking the beach concerned they won't be able to open their windows due to the smoke and fumes. With a 17kW wood-burning stove maintaining its 80C temperature, residents have expressed concerns for the health of elderly locals breathing in fumes. It is in stark contrast to the health benefits of the centre itself - as the 'contrast therapy' of going from hot to cold water can release noradrenaline and dopamine, increasing energy, focus and mood. However, residents have been left more concerned about the potential damage the site could cause. Ann Warwick, 88, who lives in a nearby flat said: "To be burning wood in this area, which is highly residential, is just not on. "The chimney would come right at us, we wouldn't be able to open the windows. "We would have no objection to the sauna if its electric. But they shouldn't be producing CO2 when there's lots of wildlife around here and lots of elderly people who shouldn't be breathing in that kind of smoke." Another neighbour, who did not want to be named but has a background in science, said: "The proposed wood burner is not a domestic sized unit but one of commercial capacity to provide hot water for 25 people and burn for up to 14 hours a day." He added that the kiln drying process would release 1.65kg of CO2 per kilo of wood dried. "The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has stated its concern over the emission of dangerous fine particulates caused by domestic wood burning stoves," the unnamed resident said. He added: "It has been shown such fine particulates can adversely affect lung development in children and harm those suffering from a wide range of breathing problems." Resident Samantha Searles said: "I cannot think of anything worse on the seafront than a communal sauna that has a flue and a wood burner. "There are multiple health concerns here as the flu will discharge damaging particulates, smoke and fumes directly up or along the cliff face depending on the weather/wind. "People, wildlife and properties will be detrimentally affected." Residents have also expressed concern for the local environment, with the carbon monoxide potentially causing a fire risk to the cliff, which is a site of nature conservation importance. The clifftop is covered in grass and vegetation that becomes very dry in the summer - and a wood burner could increase the fire risk. With the growing popularity of wellness treatments in the UK, residents are also worried that the trendy site could lead to increased noise pollution and traffic problems at the already-popular beach. Ann added: "Parking is already bad, at the weekend we have cars parked on yellow lines all the way along the road and I do think this would make it worse." Not everyone is opposed to the plans, with the local council receiving 49 letters of support for the development. Laura Hull said: "Southbourne has been thriving and growing as a progressive area and there are loads of great health and wellness events and groups. "The sauna would be a fabulous addition to the seafront and help enhance the wellness culture in the area and keep Southbourne thriving." Nicola Fuller said: "I regularly head down to Sandbanks and Avon Beach to use the saltwater sauna with local friends, and friends and family visiting from around the country. "I'm so excited to hear planning is in place for a sauna in Southbourne where I live and it would be an amazing addition to Sobo Beach, which is an incredible place for our community." Saltwater Sauna LTD already owns several sites across the South coast - however, this new addition will be bigger than most and will operate from 7.30am until 9.30pm every day. Their existing sites operate in Dorset at Avon Beach in Christchurch, Sandbanks in Poole and one at Lulworth Cove. The saunas are designed to boost circulation, detoxity and cleanse the skin and provide relaxation. In a response to the concerns raised, the company said they aim to provide "a truly authentic Finnish sauna experience", elevating them above "more generic sauna providers". In a response to the objections raised, they said: "Finnish sauna culture is traditionally built around the wood-fired stove. "The act of preparing and tending the fire, the distinct aroma of the burning wood, and the natural, softer steam it produces are all essential to the authentic experience. "This is not just about heat - it's about ritual, tradition, and the atmosphere, which electric systems cannot fully replicate. Our customers seek out this authentic experience specifically, and it is a key reason they visit us." Saltwater Sauna use kiln-dried wood, which they say has a more efficient burn with less smoke and emissions and their sauna at Sandbanks has had no issues or complaints from locals. The sauna at Avon Beach is powered by an electric stove but they said that was due to the proximity of low-hanging trees and the associated fire risk from heat exposure to the canopy, not any concerns about smoke, emissions or the environment. The company say they would explore the option of electric heating "if required", but would need to look at the available power supply at Southbourne and would prefer to offer the traditional experience. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council were unable to comment on live planning application. 7 7
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Fury over 25 person wood-fired SAUNA on Bournemouth beach as cliff-top flat owners fear they'll be forced to keep their windows shut because of the fumes
Furious cliff-top flat owners are battling plans for a wood-fired sauna on Bournemouth beach - complaining fumes will force them to keep windows closed. Saltwater Sauna Ltd have unveiled proposals to install a huge 25-person sauna on the promenade at Southbourne Beach in the Dorset seaside resort. The company has already installed similar Finnish-style saunas along the South Coast, pointing to their popularity with wellness treatment fans. The one earmarked for Southbourne, said to be substantially larger than most, is proposed to operate from 7.30am to 9.30pm every day - with its 17kW wood-burning stove reaching temperatures of 80C. But steamed-up residents in an apartment block overlooking the sea fear they will no longer be able to open windows due to smoke and fumes emitted from the sauna. They say many elderly people live in the area and warn that breathing in these fumes could lead to health issues. They have also raised concerns for the environment. citing the toxic carbon monoxide levels they fear the sauna could produce. Other complaints include that the 'commercial scale' sauna could be a fire risk to the cliff, which is a site of nature conservation importance - as well as potential noise pollution and parking problems. Ann Warwick, 88, who lives in a flat nearby, said: 'To be burning wood in this area, which is highly residential, is just not on. 'The chimney would come right at us - we wouldn't be able to open the windows. 'We would have no objection to the sauna if its electric, but they shouldn't be producing CO2 when there's lots of wildlife around here and lots of elderly people who shouldn't be breathing in that kind of smoke. 'Parking is already bad - at the weekend we have cars parked on yellow lines all the way along the road and I do think this would make it worse.' Another neighbour, who did not want to be named but has a background in science, said: 'The proposed wood burner is not a domestic sized unit but one of commercial capacity to provide hot water for 25 people and burn for up to 14 hours a day. 'The kiln drying process itself will release 1.65kg of CO2 per kilo of wood dried. 'The transportation of the wood and the removal of ash will release CO2. The burning of the wood will release significant amounts of CO2 and particulates into the atmosphere locally. 'The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has stated its concern over the emission of dangerous fine particulates caused by domestic wood burning stoves. 'It has been shown such fine particulates can adversely affect lung development in children and harm those suffering from a wide range of breathing problems.' He also added the slopes and areas at the top of the cliff are covered in grass and vegetation that can become dry in the summer and a wood burner could be a significant fire risk. Another local, Samantha Searles, said: 'I cannot think of anything worse on the seafront than a communal sauna that has a flue and a wood burner. 'There are multiple health concerns here as the flu will discharge damaging particulates, smoke and fumes directly up or along the cliff face depending on the weather/wind. 'People, wildlife and properties will be detrimentally affected.' Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'This operating 14 hours a day, seven days a week, will be a nuisance and health hazard. 'I don't think people would be so against it if they were to do something powered by electricity.' The outdoor saunas are designed to help people boost circulation and detoxify and cleanse the skin and provide relaxation. Saltwater Sauna already operates similar businesses in Dorset at Avon Beach in Christchurch, the exclusive peninsula of Sandbanks in Poole and one at Lulworth Cove. The company says there is a 'substantial distance' between the proposed new sauna and the nearest residents and they did not believe locals' amenity would be harmed. Saltwater Sauna also described the woodburner as key to the plans, to 'provide a truly authentic Finnish sauna experience' while separating them from 'more generic sauna providers'. In a response to the objections raised, the firm said: 'Finnish sauna culture is traditionally built around the wood-fired stove. 'The act of preparing and tending the fire, the distinct aroma of the burning wood, and the natural, softer steam it produces are all essential to the authentic experience. 'This is not just about heat - it's about ritual, tradition, and the atmosphere, which electric systems cannot fully replicate. Our customers seek out this authentic experience specifically, and it is a key reason they visit us.' Saltwater Sauna use kiln-dried wood, which they say has a more efficient burn with less smoke and emissions and their sauna at Sandbanks has had no issues or complaints from locals. The sauna at Avon Beach is powered by an electric stove but they said that was due to the proximity of low-hanging trees and the associated fire risk from heat exposure to the canopy - rather than any concerns about smoke, emissions or the environment. The company says it would explore the option of electric heating 'if required', but would need to look at the available power supply at Southbourne and would prefer to offer the traditional experience. Not everyone is against the proposals, with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's planning department receiving 49 letters of support - including people suggesting the sauna would be an asset to the area. Laura Hull said: 'Southbourne has been thriving and growing as a progressive area and there are loads of great health and wellness events and groups. 'The sauna would be a fabulous addition to the seafront and help enhance the wellness culture in the area and keep Southbourne thriving.' Nicola Fuller said: 'I regularly head down to Sandbanks and Avon Beach to use the saltwater sauna with local friends, and friends and family visiting from around the country. 'I'm so excited to hear planning is in place for a sauna in Southbourne where I live and it would be an amazing addition to Sobo Beach, which is an incredible place for our community.'
