Croyde roof-top sauna could be in hot water without planning permission

Owners of a surf school at Croyde are bidding to keep a roof-top sauna that was installed without planning permission.

Surfing Croyde Bay has also applied to North Devon Council for retrospective consent after installing decking and a balustrade around the structure.

In planning documents it says that the mobile sauna was so popular that it was moved permanently to the top of the school’s premises at Baggy Point and fencing was made more secure.

The site previously had seating for the food and drink element of the business with a surrounding post and netting fence.

Above: The location before the sauna and decking was installed.

On behalf of applicant Damon Beveridge, agents PLL said as the surf school and hire business went from strength-to-strength under the current owners, demand for a sauna grew and a mobile one was acquired.

The decking did not materially raise the roof height and the timber fence is the same height as the previous fence, they said.

They added that the amenity of neighbours would not be an issue as there would likely be fewer people on the roof than when it was a seating area.

The sauna complemented an established tourism and leisure business and enhanced its year round appeal, they said

North Devon Council will decide on the application in due course.