New sauna plan for Padiham carpet store
A new wellness hub featuring a sauna and cold-water plunge pools could be set to open in Padiham according to plans submitted to Burnley Council.
The proposal concerns a premises at 161-163 Burnley Road, where applicant Dexter Gillen-Hunt has applied for a lawful development certificate to enable the building to operate as a wellness centre.
Supporting documents say the proposed business will offer a “clean, modern and welcoming environment focused on general wellbeing, relaxation and recovery” in Padiham.
According to planning documents, the facility would include an eight-person sauna and two cold water plunge baths for customers to cool off in, alongside shower and changing facilities, toilets, a reception area and a space for relaxation.
In order to control the flow of customers, an appointment and booking system would be used at the proposed wellbeing centre.
The application states that the premises are classified for commercial retail use, currently operating as a carpet store, and would move to a use associated with indoor sport, recreation or fitness.
The supporting statement adds that plans for Pilates or yoga classes have been removed from the current application, with the focus instead remaining on the sauna, cold-plunge and associated wellbeing facilities.
If approved, the wellness hub would operate between 7am and 9pm. The applicant says customer numbers would be managed appropriately and the business would be professionally supervised during opening hours.
No major external alterations are proposed, although a new business sign would be installed. Ventilation equipment linked to the facility would be positioned to the rear of the building, subject to any required approvals.
Planning documents state that most of the specialist equipment has already been purchased and would be installed internally.
The applicant says the venue is intended to operate as a “quiet, appointment-led wellness facility” rather than a leisure or entertainment venue, with no amplified music, late-night entertainment or alcohol-related activities.
Burnley Council planners will make a decision on the application at a later date.