Three sauna cabins at Rockwater Kingsway, Hove
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Brighton And Hove Planning Committee on 4 Mar 2026.
No officer report was published for this decision; this summary is from the committee minutes.
The proposed cabins
The application concerned three new cabins forming part of a full planning application, intended to operate as saunas only.
“Councillor Shanks was informed that the retention of the huts was approved in 2025. The application was not for change-of-use. The three retail kiosks have permanent consent, and the three new cabins form the application before the committee. Users of the sauna would use Rockwater as a base to change. The management plan would cover the hours of operations.”
Minutes
The site and existing uses
The retail kiosks had permanent consent, the huts’ retention was approved in 2025, and users would use Rockwater to change.
“Councillor Earthey was informed that users would change in Rockwater, and the cabins would be a sauna only.”
Minutes
Unauthorised rear development
Development at the rear was currently unauthorised.
“Councillor Theobald was informed that the developments at the rear are currently unauthorised.”
Minutes
Members discuss the proposal
Members considered the concept, public-space concerns, commercialisation, health benefits, changing facilities and support for the project.
“Councillor Theobald considered the kiosks were good for food and drink, and saunas had health benefits. The councillor was disappointed there were no changing areas; however, the application was a good thing.”
“Councillor Robinson considered the application could be considered over commercialisation; however, the council needed the income and to support such projects. The councillor supported the application.”
Minutes
The committee votes
The committee granted planning permission by nine votes to one abstention.
“A vote was held, and by 9 to 1 abstention, the committee agreed to grant planning permission.”
Minutes
Permission is granted
Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions and informatives in the report.
“RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives in the report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Brighton And Hove Planning Committee minutes, 4 March 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Brighton And Hove's committee minutes. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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- Brighton And Hove Planning Committee
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- Brighton And Hove
- Date
- Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
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This committee's year
63 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.