New bid to site mobile sauna near East Sands in St Andrews

Judith Dunlop, the owner of Elie Seaside Sauna, has gone back to the drawing board and returned with new and improved plans to bring her venture to the university town. This time, she has proposed setting up in a corner of the East Sands Leisure Centre Car Park overlooking the sea.

A planning statement said: “St Andrews is a coastal town renowned for its picturesque beaches and stunning natural surroundings. However, the often chilly and damp climate can make it challenging for residents and visitors to fully enjoy the area’s outdoor offerings.

"A sauna at East Sands could provide an excellent solution to this problem, offering a cozy and relaxing space where people can warm up and unwind while taking in the beautiful coastal views.

“In addition to the obvious health benefits of regular sauna use, such a facility could serve as a gathering place for the community, fostering social connections and promoting wellness. By providing an accessible and unique amenity, a temporary sauna by the sea could enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, while also highlighting the town’s natural beauty and promoting tourism.”

Mrs Dunlop previously wanted to open a mobile sauna at the Golf Museum car park near West Sands. North East Fife planning councillors rejected the application “in the interests of protecting visual amenity.”

Both applications have come on the heels of the Elie Seaside Sauna success. According to previous planning statements, the venture has been “hugely popular and successful. Having operated in Elie over the winter, it has become apparent that much of the demand for its services comes from St. Andrews, with local residents, students, tour operators and other visiting tourists all travelling to Elie to use the sauna on a regular basis,” a planning statement said.

“This demand has grown to the point that [Mrs Dunlop] has been repeatedly asked if and when a similar development will be available in St Andrews.”

The application is open for consultation until February 16. Fife Council will make a decision in due course.