A neighbour row erupted after a homeowner complained that a "bulky and unsightly" sauna "ruined" their scenic view.
Stephen and Lucie Allen's dark grey cabin sparked tensions on the millionaires' row near Poole in Dorset when neighbour Brian Leader Cramer formally complained about the structure ruining his view.
However, the wealthy couple in Sandbanks have recently won approval for their controversial outdoor sauna, despite erecting it without planning permission at their £11m beachfront mansion.
The retrospective planning application, submitted last August, has now been approved by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
The decision could pave the way for other wealthy homeowners to install similar luxury saunas, with numbers across Britain already having risen from 45 to nearly 150 in recent years.
The Allens purchased their Sandbanks property in 2013 for over £3million, demolishing the existing structure to build their four-storey mansion.
Their luxury home includes an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and gym on the lower ground floor, complete with its own indoor sauna.
The controversial outdoor sauna, measuring 8ft 7.5in in height and 7ft 7in wide, stands at the end of their garden just yards from the sandy beach.
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The sports-enthusiast couple, known for activities including whitewater rafting, cycling and surfing on motorised hydrofoil surfboards, reportedly installed the outdoor structure last summer.
Cramer, 79, whose main residence is in Bushey, Hertfordshire, complained that the sauna "significantly impairs the views of Studland Bay to the west when viewed from the rear terrace" of his ground floor holiday apartment.
He described the structure as "bulky, unsightly and out of keeping with the surrounding buildings."
However, council planning officer Amelia Rose dismissed these concerns, stating that "the loss of a view is not a material planning consideration."
The council ruled that the sauna was not overbearing, could not be seen from the shoreline, and did not impact neighbouring properties' light and privacy.
The surge in outdoor saunas across Britain reflects a growing wellness trend among wealthy homeowners, with installations nearly tripling from 45 to almost 150 in recent years.
However, Britain's sauna enthusiasm remains modest compared to Finland, where the population of 5.3 million people share approximately 3 million saunas.
Experts note that the "contrast therapy" of alternating between hot sauna and cold water releases noradrenaline and dopamine, reportedly enhancing focus, energy and mood for hours.
The trend recently gained attention on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, where presenter Jonny Dymond remarked: "In the interests of balance, I should say other forms of relaxation are available – they're just not as good."
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Stephen and Lucie Allen's dark grey cabin sparked tensions on the millionaires' row near Poole in Dorset when neighbour Brian Leader Cramer formally complained about the structure ruining his view.
However, the wealthy couple in Sandbanks have recently won approval for their controversial outdoor sauna, despite erecting it without planning permission at their £11m beachfront mansion.
The retrospective planning application, submitted last August, has now been approved by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
The decision could pave the way for other wealthy homeowners to install similar luxury saunas, with numbers across Britain already having risen from 45 to nearly 150 in recent years.
The Allens purchased their Sandbanks property in 2013 for over £3million, demolishing the existing structure to build their four-storey mansion.
Their luxury home includes an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and gym on the lower ground floor, complete with its own indoor sauna.
The controversial outdoor sauna, measuring 8ft 7.5in in height and 7ft 7in wide, stands at the end of their garden just yards from the sandy beach.
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The sports-enthusiast couple, known for activities including whitewater rafting, cycling and surfing on motorised hydrofoil surfboards, reportedly installed the outdoor structure last summer.
Cramer, 79, whose main residence is in Bushey, Hertfordshire, complained that the sauna "significantly impairs the views of Studland Bay to the west when viewed from the rear terrace" of his ground floor holiday apartment.
He described the structure as "bulky, unsightly and out of keeping with the surrounding buildings."
However, council planning officer Amelia Rose dismissed these concerns, stating that "the loss of a view is not a material planning consideration."
The council ruled that the sauna was not overbearing, could not be seen from the shoreline, and did not impact neighbouring properties' light and privacy.
The surge in outdoor saunas across Britain reflects a growing wellness trend among wealthy homeowners, with installations nearly tripling from 45 to almost 150 in recent years.
However, Britain's sauna enthusiasm remains modest compared to Finland, where the population of 5.3 million people share approximately 3 million saunas.
Experts note that the "contrast therapy" of alternating between hot sauna and cold water releases noradrenaline and dopamine, reportedly enhancing focus, energy and mood for hours.
The trend recently gained attention on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, where presenter Jonny Dymond remarked: "In the interests of balance, I should say other forms of relaxation are available – they're just not as good."
Find Out More...