Wicklow County Council poised to approve permission for Bray’s Seawater Saunas before chief fire officer raised a red flag over emergency exits
One of Bray’s most popular new wellness and lifestyle attractions has hit a planning setback after a late decision in its retention application for its rooftop sauna has led to it being refused by Wicklow County Council.
Seawater Saunas, which is based on the roof of the seafront Aquarium Building on Strand Road, has been seeking retention permission for an existing commercial sauna, hot tub and cold plunge facility, which has become a hugely popular feature of Bray’s promenade since opening in June 2025.
The development includes three sauna rooms, eight cold plunge tubs, a hot tub, changing rooms, shower facilities, toilets and a reception area.
The application, which was lodged with Wicklow County Council in December 2025 on behalf of Hazel Tree Investments Limited, relates to the business that is already operating, rather than a proposal for any new development.
The planning consultants representing the applicant described the facility as “an asset to tourism and recreational sectors and will greatly benefit the amenity offerings within Bray and surrounding areas”.
Despite the application initially meeting the approval of the council, a last-minute intervention by the council’s chief fire officer led to the recommendation that it be refused.
The Aquarium Building is one of the most prominent on Bray’s seafront. In the documents submitted to the council, consultants argued that the sauna is consistent with Wicklow County Development Plan objectives promoting tourism, recreation, health and wellbeing.
They point out that the centre provides a unique leisure amenity, while capitalising on the location’s uninterrupted views across the bay and the promenade.
The planning report submitted with the application also placed the development within the historical context of bathing and recreation generally in Bray.
It noted that the aquarium site was “famously known to have been the site of a ladies-only public bath dating from the late 19th century”. After it was demolished in the 1950s, it was “replaced with a subsequent public bath building, which was also demolished later”.
“The former public bath lands are now the site of the Aquarium Building,” it added.
Wicklow County Council sought further information from the applicant on a range of issues, including structural loading on the rooftop, fire safety and emissions from a wood-burning sauna.
In response, the applicant submitted reports from fire safety and structural engineering consultants. According to the planner’s report, the structural assessment found the roof was capable of supporting the additional weight associated with the sauna rooms, plunge pools and the hot tub facilities.
A fire risk assessment was also submitted. The report concluded that “travel distances” within the sauna development complied with relevant fire safety guidance, and that the rooftop facility met applicable standards. The planner accepted that both the fire safety and structural concerns raised during the assessment process had been addressed.
It looked like a green light for the sauna facility, and in a report dated August 20, the council recommended that retention permission be granted, subject to conditions, including restrictions on operating hours (between 7am and 10pm), noise limits and conditions relating to the operation of a wood-burning sauna and associated flue system.
The report concluded that the development “would not seriously injure residential amenities in the area and was acceptable in terms of planning, traffic safety and sustainable development”.
However, on August 28, there is an addendum to the report with observations received from the council’s chief fire officer. While the officer accepted the structural engineering assessment, concerns remained regarding emergency escape distances from parts of the rooftop area.
The fire engineer’s report appeared to assess only the saunas themselves and not the wider outdoor rooftop area, with the showers and tubs.
According to the addendum, the drawing submitted showed the enclosed sauna area located within the required travel distance to an exit, but users elsewhere on the roof could be beyond the maximum safe travel distance required under fire safety regulations.
The report noted that compliance may require the installation of an additional external fire escape staircase. Without further information and with no time remaining for clarification, the council planner reversed the earlier recommendation and advised that the application should be refused.
The news will come as a blow to Seawater Saunas, which earlier this summer was announced as the official sauna partner for Bray Wanderers.
However, it should be pointed out that the council reports highlight the central issue for its refusal is not the provision of a rooftop sauna at the prime location. In fact, the original planner’s report was hugely supportive of the development’s tourism and recreational benefits.
The venue has four weeks to lodge an appeal.