Residents oppose Wyre Forest Visitor Centre sauna plans

The plans, which were submitted to Wyre Forest District Council in July, would see two mobile sauna cabins, cold plunges, and showers installed at the Wyre Forest - Forestry England Visitor Centre in Callow Hill.

After seeing the planning application featured in the Kidderminster Shuttle, residents in nearby Forestry Houses have raised their concerns with the proposal to Forestry England.

Jennifer Booton is one of these residents, who, alongside her neighbours, says she is 'deeply concerned' with the potential risk of wildfire, smoke pollution from the proposed saunas running from 7am to 9pm six days a week throughout the year, and the potential impact on wildlife such as horses and great crested newts.

A meeting between the residents and Forestry England was held in September, with these concerns being relayed, but, according to Jennifer no compromise was reached.

The residents have also written a letter to the CEO of Forestry England, Mike Seddon, to invite him to conduct a site visit, which they say has not yet been accepted.

"As a group of residents, our concerns are the position of the site," Jenny said.

"This is very close to the six houses and right next to a horse livery, and we are extremely worried that with fire burning constantly this will be a hazard to health for all residents and animals.

"This seams absurd at a time when the government is trying to reduce pollution in the UK Environmental Plan (EIP), which highlights that solid fuel burning is a primary contributor to national fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and air pollution. 

"The World Health Organisation identifies PM 2.5 as the most hazardous air pollutant to human health, and the UK government has committed to reducing this by 30 per cent by 2030. 

"Yet Forestry England wants us to be breathing this in 14 hours a day, six days a week through the year.

"We are extremely worried about the pollution and breathing in smoke continually.

"We are also deeply concerned by the risk of wildfire, an anxiety heightened by the timber-clad construction and shingle roofing of our homes.

"We believe this site is inappropriate at 35 metres between boundaries and far too close to the houses.

"Forestry England and You Can Sauna admitted in the meeting that no existing saunas are close to residential properties."

In response to the residents' concerns, Forestry England has said that the proposed site was identified due to 'existing infrastructure' whilst alternative locations were deemed 'unsuitable'.

Forestry England has also said that it takes fire risk 'extremely seriously' and said that if approved, 'appropriate measures' would be put in place to manage any risks associated with the saunas.

A spokesperson for Forestry England said: "Earlier this year, Forestry England explored opportunities for a sauna operator to enhance the wellbeing offer at Wyre Forest.

"There is growing interest in activities like saunas and cold-water immersion, and we believe that they can provide health and wellbeing benefits for participants. They have been proven successful at other forest sites.

"Following a competitive tender process, Forestry England appointed You Can Sauna as a third-party operator. They have since submitted a planning application to Wyre Forest District Council.

"The proposed location was identified because it offers access to existing infrastructure, including an unused building that could be used as a changing area, as well as electricity and water supplies.

"The site has undergone an independent ecological assessment. Alternative locations have been looked at and deemed unsuitable.

"Forestry England takes fire risk extremely seriously and would not support proposals that posed a risk to the forest, its visitors or neighbouring communities. Outdoor sauna facilities operate safely in a variety of rural and woodland locations across the UK, and appropriate measures would be in place to manage any risks associated with the operation.

"We recognise that some local residents have concerns about the proposal and we have met with them to listen to their views, and provided opportunities for them to raise questions directly with the operator.

"The planning application will now be considered by Wyre Forest District Council through its normal planning process. We encourage anyone with views on the proposal to submit their comments through the council's planning portal.

"You Can Sauna have provided responses to concerns raised by the local residents; these responses can also be viewed on the planning portal."