Award-Winning Sauna Refusal?

Calls to allow the permanent siting of an award-winning Pembrokeshire seaside village outdoor sauna, which has been featured in the national press, are being recommended for refusal.

Back in June 2024, a temporary two-year permission for a mobile wood-fired sauna at Saundersfoot harbour was granted by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee.

Since then, a further application by Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna to make the siting permanent has been submitted to national park planners, which is now recommended for refusal at the July 15 meeting of the national park’s development management committee.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said, since its introduction the sauna has “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focussed on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It went on to say: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot,” adding: “Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Back in February, the business, set up by former superyacht worker and mum-of-two Kerry won Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards.

An officer report is recommending refusal despite no objection from Saundersfoot Community Council, with most of the 19 letters from members of the public over the plans in support, describing it as “a major asset to the village,” and “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some have said that, while permanent consent is supported, it should not be in its current location as it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

The officer report for committee members says: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted [planning advice] has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

It goes on to say that while the officer report for the 2024 scheme said there would no unacceptable adverse effects on the qualities and special landscape and seascape character of the National Park, “this application also includes further development in respect of a booking office (in retrospect) and therefore the amount of development in this application exceeds that of the temporary permission”.

It adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park. This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The current application is recommended for refusal on the grounds highlighted in the report.