An ASOS billionaire is planning to build a floating sauna on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland.
Anders Holch Povlsen wants to reinstate two historic boathouses on the loch, which is famous for 'sightings' of the Loch Ness monster.
An application for listed building consent has now been granted by the Highland Council, with stringent conditions.
Mr Povlsen - one of the UK’s largest landowners - has snapped up more than £100m of Highlands property, including the historic Aldourie Castle, which is the only habitable castle on the shoreline of the famous Scottish loch.
He reportedly paid £15m for the estate in 2015 and it is being slowly restored.
Included in the plan is the restoration of two boathouses, the ruins of which are visible on the banks of the 37km stretch of water.
They are originally thought to have been built in the 19th century when the castle was expanded.
Evidence from the turn of the 20th century shows a heather-thatched open-timber boathouse protected by a palisaded timber fence.
Wooden stakes that one former boathouse used to float on can still be seen in the water, while the concrete plinth is all that remains of the other.
An application was put in earlier this year by the Aldourie Castle Estate for listed building consent to recreate the two structures, using a timber frame, corrugated iron roof, with one of the floating pontoons including a sauna and changing room.
The other was to include space for what appeared to be a speedboat, with an adjoining toilet, as well as a tearoom and kitchenette above.
Work is subject to a number of conditions including that all materials should follow approved drawings and any internal or external work should match the original materials and finishes where possible.
Although the first planning hurdle has now been cleared, the Dutch billionaire will still have to apply for planning permission, although that too is likely to be granted.
The area planning manager for the council, David Mudie, said when granting the listed building consent: “All works, materials and finishes shall be as noted on the approved drawings.
“Any internal or external works and finishes, or works for making-good as required, shall be to match original/adjacent materials and finishes.”
He went on to say that this was “in order to safeguard the character and qualities of the listed building and designed landscape.”
Historic Environment Scotland did not oppose the consent, adding: “We have considered the information received and do not have any comments to make on the proposals.
“Our decision not to provide comments should not be taken as our support for the proposals.
“This application should be determined in accordance with national and local policy on listed building consent, together with related policy guidance.”
Aldourie Castle was built around 1626 as a laird’s house.
It is now available to rent for private stays and makes up part of Povlsen’s huge Scottish land bank.
The 48-year-old is also the owner of the clothing chain Bestseller, which includes the brands Vero Moda and Jack&Jones.
He and his wife Anne had four children, Alma, 15, Agnes, 12, Astrid, then ten, and Alfred, five, but Alma, Agnes, and Alfred were killed during the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings while the family were on holiday.
They had twin girls less than a year later in March 2020.
At the time, they wrote an open letter to the people of Scotland, thanking them for their “heartfelt gratitude for the condolences, sympathy and many warming thoughts we have received following the tragic loss of our three beloved and beautiful children.”
