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Breakwater sauna steams ahead after permission finally granted

Breakwater sauna steams ahead after permission finally granted

Friday 12 July 2024

Breakwater sauna steams ahead after permission finally granted

Friday 12 July 2024


The owner of Jersey's first mobile seaside sauna has expressed his relief after getting permission to operate at St Catherine's Breakwater following a long-running battle with the planning department.

Confirming that he had received approval for the mobile unit, Sauna Society founder Cole McLean commented: “It's a relief more than anything and one less thing to think about.

"Now we can focus on what truly matters, which is providing our customers with the best possible experience, knowing we have a secure future at St Catherine's, which I believe is the safest and most spectacular swimming spot on the island."

The fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur launched his business last summer, with the unit first nestled in the car park south of the Watersplash.

As the chillier months arrived, he decided to look east instead, and offer people the chance to take an dip off St Catherine’s slip and reheat while looking out to sea – but setting up business at the Breakwater brought with it red tape and problems that threatened to see Sauna Society run out of steam

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Pictured: Cole McLean with his mobile sauna.

Just two weeks after the move, Mr McLean was told that he had to move the sauna from the top of the slip as the land was Government-owned and it required planning permission if he wanted to stay for more than 28 days. 

The sauna was subsequently moved next to the canoe club building, with Mr McLean describing the relocation as "a bit of an extra walk for our sea dips but not the end of the world".

He was told that he had to submit a new planning application if he wanted to remain on the site, close to the Canoe Club on the widened area of pavement.

Mr McLean submitted a planning application for this new location in December, something he felt was unnecessary due to the high cost of compiling an application and the fact that the site is "only a trailer".

However, the submission was refused in January, with Planning stating that it lacked evidence and required a heritage impact assessment, transport statement and visual impact assessment to be undertaken and submitted.

The most recent application aimed to obtain permission to stay at the Canoe Club site for the second time.

The entrepreneur has previously spoken about how the saga had raised a further question for him: “Surely we should be supporting entrepreneurship and businesses in general and not shutting them down to some outdated box-ticking methods currently in place?

“The whole system needs a revamp, as this current one isn't fit for purpose, it slows down innovation and is keeping Jersey back in the dark ages.”

Mr McLean said the lengthy timescales involved in the planning process were the most significant barrier to his business. 

He said: “I get departments are busy and I fully respect that, but sitting in the fear of unknown whether we are going to be moved or not can be a little unsettling, especially when this is your livelihood and something you have invested a serious amount of time and effort into.

"Applications which are for islanders or tourism benefits should be separated from residential applications in order to speed up the process.

“There’s always talk about there isn’t much for people to do at the moment, but when planning takes so long to make a decision, why would most people want to risk their time and financial situation in something where you have no reassurance in whether you are allowed to even trade or not.” 

During the process, Mr McLean was buoyed by a huge swell of support, with social media posts and news articles generating hundreds of responses, ranging from other businesspeople working in different trades who feel similarly, keen saunagoers who want to see it thrive and other well-wishers. 

Pictured: The Sauna Society featured in the February edition of Connect Magazine.

He said: “Islanders have been super supportive in response to the saga, without our customers we have no business, and they are the most important people in this.

"What we have going on here is more than just a pop-up sauna placed down at St Catherine's. This is a place for people to meet up with friends and even people you have never met before in our communal sessions.

"Our community has grown, many friendships have been made and that is one of the best feelings from doing this all of this.  

“Equally I would like to say thank you to Ports of Jersey who have been fully supportive in this whole process as well as the guys from the canoe club and the cafe down here too!” 

With the planning hurdle now cleared, Mr McLean hinted at expansion plans that don't involve another sauna trailer.

He said: “My lips are sealed at this moment in time, more will be revealed very soon, but this won’t involve a sauna trailer this time round.”

READ MORE...

Mobile sauna makes fresh bid to keep St Catherine's spot

 FOCUS: Some like it hot! Why running a sauna ain't 'no sweat'

Turning up the heat! Jersey gets second pop-up sauna

Pop-up sauna faces uncertain future due to permit misunderstanding

WATCH: Could saunas start popping up around Jersey?

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