A day spa and swimming pool are set to form part of new plans for Clontarf Baths in north Dublin.

Former Olympic swimmer Stephen Cullen, who owns the baths, has submitted new plans with Dublin City Council to redevelop the site.

This is the third attempt by Cullen's Abbeybeg Ltd to secure planning permission for the 5.5-acre coastal site.

He has plans to develop a 3,431sq m (36,930sq ft) day spa at the former baths. This will incorporate a swimming pool, vitality pool, speciality showers, heat treatment rooms, wet relaxation area, gym, yoga area, café and hair salon.

The developer plans to demolish sheds and outbuildings associated with the former outdoor pool to make way for the spa. Outdoor terraces and 50 car-parking spaces will be provided if the scheme gets planning permission.

Originally built in 1864, the Clontarf Baths closed in the early 1990s and, like those in Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire, has become derelict over the years.

The site hit the headlines last weekend when a man was arrested as he went to collect 1kg of heroin hidden in bushes near the baths.

When he originally purchased the baths in 1997 Cullen (brother of hotelier and publican, David Cullen) intended to develop an indoor leisure centre around the baths. This plan, however, was abandoned when Westwood leisure centre, with its 50-metre pool, was built in Fairview.

A plan to turn the baths into a two-storey restaurant, tea rooms, gourmet food store and exhibition complex was refused by An Bord Pleanála in 2004. A similar plan was also refused in 2001.

Almost 20 years ago the previous owner, MB Investment, failed to secure approval for a two-storey restaurant on the grounds that the height of the proposed building would obstruct sea views.

Cullen will be hoping that the one-storey design, incorporating a swimming pool, will win the approval of planners this time around.