Plans for Saundersfoot harbour’s coastal schooner to house a crazy-golf attraction have been welcomed by members of the Community Council.

The plans for [Reference: NP/25/0569/FUL] for a change of use of the schooner’s ground floor area to indoor visitor attraction were recently submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority by applicants Lowri and Justin Silver of Kilgetty. They plan to call it ‘Captain Silver’s Adventure Golf’.

At the most recent meeting of Saundersfoot Community Council, the applicants met with members to explain their plans in more detail and answer questions put forward.

It was felt by councillors that the application provides a family-friendly activity, indoors and, as such, an all weather facility, which is currently lacking in the seaside village.

It was explained that heritage displays inside the schooner are to be retained.

When discussing the plans, members of the Community Council said that they’d strongly supported the application.

The schooner which sits on the harbour’s decking – was built to showcase Saundersfoot’s maritime heritage and is part of the £10m Wales Coastal Centre project.

The building is a replica of a traditional coastal schooner vessel which operated from the harbour during the coal mining era to transport coal from Saundersfoot.

The interpretation centre closed in October 2024.

Back in July, an application for a pirate-themed bar at the site was refused at a meeting of the National Park’s development management committee.

That rum bar scheme had raised concerns from the community council, saying it was “considered to be at odds with the current family venue and heritage elements”.

In the applicant’s planning submission to PCNPA, Mr Silver states: “This project is a long-term commitment that resolves the conservation requirements for the Schooner while delivering a high-quality, supervised, and family-focused amenity for Saundersfoot.

The applicants stated that the proposal is for a high-quality, indoor, themed 9-hole crazy golf course to provide a much-needed, year-round, wet-weather amenity for families, schools, and the wider community.

“This entire course will be built as a fully removable, non-fixed structure, guaranteeing zero damage to the heritage fabric of the vessel, and will operate under a strict zero-alcohol policy to ensure positive public order,” continued Mr Silver.

“As local business owners, we are committed to delivering this project to the highest standards.

“The course will be themed around the harbour’s history (coal mining and shipping) with a bit of pirate play thrown in for good measure. Crucially, we commit to retaining and showcasing all existing maritime memorabilia on the walls to maintain the ship’s heritage status and educational function.

“This proposal establishes a much-needed, high-quality indoor attraction for families when the weather is poor—a vital service given the next closest indoor golf facility is over an hour away (BUNKERS! in Swansea).

“This is strictly a family and community facility. There will be zero purchase or consumption of alcohol on the premises. We will also maintain a strict policy banning stag and hen parties.”

The application will be considered by National Park planners at a later date.