Warning letter from Council for Midleton sauna and car wash

A newly-opened sauna and a car wash company operating beside one another in Midleton have both been served with warning letters by Cork County Council, for alleged unauthorised uses.

The Social Sauna Club, located on Cork Road in Midleton, boasts four saunas, six ice baths and two hot tubs. Fencing as high as 11 feet has also been erected around the sauna business, along with a steel container at the front.

The business was founded by Maria Adams in June and operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Located next to the sauna village is a car wash and coffee dock, operating as the Handwash Company. The business is owned by Colm O’Reilly, who also operates O’Reilly’s service station on Carrigrohane Road.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said: “Cork County Council can confirm that enforcement files have been opened in relation to alleged unauthorised uses at the junction of Cork Road and Dwyers Road, Midleton, and Cork Road, Midleton.

“Warning letters have been issued in both cases. As these remain active enforcement matters it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”

The council’s action follows on from the closure of the Midleton drive-thru coffee kiosk Boxd, which shut its doors in June after it was found it did not have planning permission.

Cork County Council confirmed that an enforcement file was opened in relation to an unauthorised use at the Boxd site at Knockgriffin, Midleton, and recommended the initiation of proceedings under Section 160 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 seeking the developer to cease the unauthorised use.

Following its Midleton closure, Cork City Council confirmed that another popular drive-thru operated by Boxd is currently operating without planning permission on Carrigrohane Road. Retention permission for both its Midleton and Carrigrohane sites has since been lodged by owners CC & H Imperial Ltd.

The Social Sauna Club and the Handwash Company did not respond when contacted for comment.