New Community Sauna and Garden Approved in Waltham Forest

Temporary planning permission has been granted for an exciting community-led change of use scheme in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

The project will see a previously vacant industrial site transformed into the next Community Sauna, featuring formal reception areas, changing rooms, hot saunas, cold plunge pools, and a vibrant communal garden. The development will also include level-access pedestrian pathways, timber decking, and bicycle parking facilities.

The new sauna facility, located at Higham Hill, will operate seven days a week from 7am to 10pm.

Create’s Water & Flood Risk team was appointed by Planning Potential on behalf of Community Sauna CIC in late 2024 to undertake the Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) required as part of the planning submission. Led by Claire Burroughs and Tracey Tooke, the team assessed flood risk and climate change impacts, providing recommendations to ensure the site’s safe operation during extreme weather events.

Although the site lies within Flood Zone 1 on the Flood Map for Planning, it also falls within a Critical Drainage Area (CDA) due to a culverted section of the Higham Brook located approximately 50m south of the site. During heavy rainfall in July 2021 the historic brook path re-emerged, presenting a residual risk. The FRA addressed this, proposing design and layout adaptations to mitigate flood impacts and ensure resilience.

The assessment, completed in December 2024, was well received by the planning authority and fully met the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance.