Application for proposed ‘horsebox sauna’ at Old Lewes Racecourse

The Salt Block Ltd applied to South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to temporarily change the use of land at The Motor Road ‘from solely equestrian grazing/grassland to a small-scale outdoor wellness site’.

The application, which can be viewed at planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications using reference SDNP/26/03697/FUL, is for ‘a mobile horsebox sauna, cold plunge facilities, outdoor shower and changing facilities, together with approximately 3m x 3m of temporary removable timber decking and associated community, landscape and biodiversity enhancement works’.

The planning statement said: “The proposal forms part of The Salt Block, an emerging community-focused café and outdoor wellness business operating from the historic Old Racecourse buildings in Lewes. The proposed sauna facility is located on a separate parcel of land from the existing café and is therefore the subject of this separate planning application.

“The proposal has been developed as a low-impact, landscape-sensitive use which supports outdoor recreation, health and wellbeing, local economic activity and access to the South Downs landscape.”

The planning statement said the temporary change of use of land would be for three years from the time of approval. It said the existing café use within the former Totaliser building is covered by planning permission

SDNP/23/02048/FUL, which was approved in October 2023.

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