A ‘HOT Tottie’ sauna has been approved for Loch Lomond – despite fears over public nudity.
The sauna opened last year on the banks of the historic site without planning permission – and prompted villagers to complain of visitors being ‘naked‘ and ‘changing in the street.’
Locals hit out after the sauna was built in Luss, Loch Lomond[/caption]
However, others praised it and said it ‘is on the beach, tucked away in between trees’[/caption]
Hot Tottie saunas applied for retrospective planning permission[/caption]
Several letters of objection were submitted – but retrospective planning permission has now been approved despite the planning official’s recommendation to refuse.
Councillors gave the green light at a meeting of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority on 24 February.
One objector wrote: “I know it’s hard to believe, but yet again recently I came home to find people changing out of wet clothes in the street in front of my house, naked.
“It’s not unknown for me to look out my kitchen window and see naked people changing in the street beside their cars.
“My biggest concern is that children live in this village. It’s unacceptable behaviour. We feel rather intimidated and don’t feel free to wander where people are having a sauna.
“Luss is a conservation village and is in grave danger of being destroyed by commercialism.”
Recently I came home to find people changing out of wet clothes in the street in front of my house, naked… It’s unacceptable behaviour
One objector
Another wrote: “This has become a huge issue and it’s threatening to spiral.
“There is talk that poison pen letters have been received by some people, and that’s not the sort of thing you wish to see in a village like this.
“The problem is that the actual population of Luss is quite small, around 400, but the number of visitors is huge, and it leads to tensions over things like parking.
“Some of the other things have been out of the ordinary, with people spotted wearing robes, or without robes, and that’s not on really.”
There were also several letters in support of the proposal.
One person wrote: “The owners spoke at the community council expressing their desire to work with everyone and be a positive addition to the village.
“The sauna is on the beach, tucked away in between trees, quite some distance from any residential properties. I hope you grant planning permission.”
People love getting back to nature, and that’s all we want to promote without causing issues or fuss
Kieran Izzett
Another said: “This initiative will bring a unique and valuable service to the area, promoting relaxation and wellbeing for the community.”
In recommending refusal, planning officers stated: “Given that the sauna has been operating at the site since July 2024 – the impact of the development has already been experienced by residents and businesses within the village as well as by users of the facility – and this is evident in the representations received.
“Fifty six representations in support have been received for the proposal confirming that the facility is a popular attraction which has been beneficial to the physical and mental wellbeing of sauna users – and also in terms of its encouragement to the enjoyment of the outdoors.
“However, considering the other side of the balance, a number of the representations in objection, including that of the local Community Council, highlight the perceived negatives of the operation at this location.
“The land in question holds cultural, historical, and local amenity value, and the commercial use does not complement the principal use of the site as open public space – and the experience of enjoying that space when considering the location’s circumstances.”
The sauna is charging users £15 per hour for a weekend “seat” at the sauna with a one-hour private session costing £100.
Hot Tottie co-owner Kieran Izzett commented: “We started up as a chance to bring our dream to reality for everyone, and our customers love the sauna.
“People love getting back to nature, and that’s all we want to promote without causing issues or fuss.”
Locals have said they have noticed people stripping off in front of their homes[/caption]
