Inverness sauna plan for public park sparks objection from Highland Council’s environmental health team over lack of toilet facilities

Environmental officers have objected to current plans for a community sauna in an Inverness park.

Community Sauna Highland CIC recently lodged an application to construct the enclosed sauna facility in the south-east corner of Bellfield Park.

If approved, the new sauna would feature two modular wooden buildings and a plunge pool surrounded by tall screening fences. It would also be slotted into the park without impacting any of the existing trees.

After lodging the application Community Sauna Highland said the facility will be intended as a “peaceful retreat for individuals and groups seeking relaxation and rejuvenation” and will be priced to enable all corners of the community to make use of it.

They also said that they had an “asset lock” meaning that profits from the site will be used to boost Highland wellbeing and could also be used to improve the park itself.

The proposals have attracted a lot of comment since they emerged, and while much of this was positive, there were concerns raised over privacy and potential noise disturbance. Some neighbours have also lodged objections in several areas - including noise, parking issues, and a reliance on sauna-goers to use nearby public toilets instead of them being provided on site.

And it looks like modifications to the proposals may be required if it is to pass after Highland Council's environmental health officers lodged an objection over the lack of toilets.

At present the sauna will feature a cabin with changing space, lockers, water and tea facilities, and a second cabin containing the sauna itself. There will also be a cold plunge pool, and a rest area, all enclosed within the fencing.

But environmental health took exception to the lack of toilet facilities for staff - especially as they would be present all day.

"There are no proposals to install toilet facilities and reliance will be on the public toilets approximately 90m away," said the objection. "There is no requirement to provide toilet facilities for patrons however, employers are required to provide adequate and appropriate welfare facilities for employees in a readily accessible location.

"Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive advises that 'use of public toilets and washing facilities should be a last resort and not used just because they are the cheaper option. This would not be acceptable where the provision of better facilities would be reasonably practicable'.

"The applicant already has plans to provide water and drainage connections to the site, therefore, our service does not consider it unreasonable to provide a staff toilet.”

They did not raise any concerns over noise or disturbance in their response, noting: "There is no proposal for music and alcohol will not be permitted. The only potential for noise is from patrons themselves and the intention appears to be a place of quiet relaxation rather than a recreational environment. It is noted that there will be a staff presence at all times."

Elsewhere, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) has called for conditions to be attached, but has otherwise not objected.

Mandy Wrenn, Convenor of the AHSS Highlands & Islands Cases Panel, highlighted the need for new planting to mitigate the sauna buildings’ visual impact.

She said: “[We] suggest that a condition be added to ensure the development is appropriately integrated into its conservation area setting.

“Given the utilitarian appearance of the proposed units, which would be more suited to an industrial setting than a sensitive historic environment, it is essential to mitigate their visual impact. Much of the planting at the back of the pavement has been cleared, and we recommend that a condition be imposed requiring its replacement or recultivation with the same or similar species appropriate to the site. This should be completed within six months of the development's completion to provide adequate and appropriate screening of the units, preserving the amenity of the surroundings.

“We trust that this recommendation will be given due consideration to ensure the development respects the character of the conservation area.”

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