The owners behind an outdoor sauna on Saundersfoot seafront have applied for a further facility for the seaside village, that will benefit the likes of athletes, cold water swimmers and beach-goers.

In an application that will go before the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority [Reference: NP/25/0729/FUL], the applicants are applying for the installation of a cold freshwater shower set in a coastal garden rockery, on an area of raised plant bed between the Slipway and car park at Saundersfoot Harbour.

The facility would be open to everyone - Saundersfoot residents and visitors year-round. A multi-headed cold shower would be located within a newly landscaped area, with an accessible path leading through a rockery style coastal garden.

The application which will go before PCNPA’s planning committee at a later date, states: “The addition of a freshwater shower in the village will provide a facility for beach users, cold water swimmers and will encourage people to visit the beach and stay in the village longer as they will be able to remove excess salt and sand.

“Working with Saundersfoot Harbour (land owner) an existing raised flower bed has been identified as an ideal location for the shower at the top of the slipway between the pathway and the carpark. The renewed planting design will be seen as an enhancement to the area and the proximity to a mains water supply within the nearby footway.

“The engineering work to connect to the main supply is much simplified avoiding the need for work within the highway and any potential road closures or traffic management.”

Applicant Kerry Evans said tha the concept of a shower has been generally well received with most people commenting that they believe it would be a great addition to the village, explaining: “As the owner of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, the facility will help enhance my customer experience, providing them with a way to freshen up after their Sauna or to cool down if they do not want to use the sea due to rough weather, state of the tide or due to other factors such as jelly fish blooms, flotsam and jetsam or sewage spills.

“Part of my vision for the Sauna has always been that it will be a positive addition to the village and the development of a freshwater shower that was accessible to all, including Saundersfoot residents and visitors year round would certainly fit with this vision.

“The popularity of endurance events in Pembrokeshire has seen a significant increase in athletes using the coastal path, cold water swimming and water sports - all potentially being future users of the outdoor shower.”

The design of the shower would be similar to the one situated at Coppet Hall, with multiple shower heads.

The applicants have been awarded a ‘weather-proofing’ grant which will cover the majority of the costs of installing the shower; but a key condition of this funding is that the installation must be fully completed, operational, and signed off by March 12 in order for the funding to be released.