Petition to save Jurassic Coast sauna after planning refused

Hundreds of people have signed a petition to save a sauna on the Jurassic Coast after retrospective planning permission was refused.

Dorset Council refused the application by Seatown Sauna Haus, which has been on Seatown beach for three years.

The council said it and other units on the site would harm the visual setting.

Operator Sarah Higgins launched the petition, which has gained more than 1,500 signatures, calling for support for a new planning application.

The retrospective application was submitted jointly by the sauna and other businesses located on a hardstanding on the beach but all were refused permission by Dorset Council in January, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ms Higgins said she now planned a separate application for her business.

She said: "I want to keep the physical set-up exactly as I am currently, no extra frills or developments - just how I've traded over the last three years, bringing good to heat to all who come."

Dozens of people have left messages of support on the petition page, describing the sauna as a "precious space" that is "great for wellbeing and mental health".

In its decision on the joint application, Dorset Council said the siting of five commercial operator mobile units would "visually intrude within the relatively untouched nature of this area".

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