Plans to revamp one of Pembrokeshire’s ‘oldest surviving watering holes’ whilst also building a three-storey luxury apartment complex to the rear of the public house have been submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The application submitted by WH Evans Properties Ltd seeks to remodel and renovate the Royal Oak Inn situated on Saundersfoot’s Wogan Terrace and erect an apartment complex containing five apartments on land to the rear of the site.

The pub described as one of Pembrokeshire’s ‘oldest surviving watering holes’ - steeped in Welsh heritage, and serving patrons of the fishing village since 1837, became a favourite haunt for sea captains who traded from the harbour.

The agents for the developers, Pegasus Planning Group Ltd have stated that the redevelopment of the Royal Oak Inn building will comprise of the demolition of the western two-storey extension at the end of the building, and also an existing extension to the north elevation, which will be replaced by a two-storey rear extension.

A first floor terrace, with access to the rear at the ground floor is proposed in place of the demolished western extension, whilst the existing residential accommodation in the first floor of the pub will be replaced with restaurant space.

The agents state in their proposals that the purpose of the works is to ensure that the public house (which came under new management back in 2021), meets the ‘expectations and requirements of modern day consumers’; whilst clearer drinking and eating areas will also enable the pub to meet a broader spectrum of food and drink requirements, thereby allowing it to become a sustainable business once again.

“Without these works, the pub is simply not viable - it is currently trading at a loss and that situation is not sustainable, meaning that the pub would have to close again,” stated the agents in their proposals.

Consultees, The Friends of Saundersfoot and District has recommended refusal for the proposed development which is sited prominently within the village conservation area, stating they consider the proposal to be an ‘over development of a significant site at the heart of the village’ and to be ‘unsympathetic’ to surrounding properties,

“The Royal Oak Inn lies at the heart of the conservation area and occupies a prominent position in the centre of the village; its partial demolition would irrevocably change the integrity of the conservation area,” the organisation wrote in its response to PCNPA.

“It would be visually dominant, overlooking a number of properties, not only in Wogan Terrace but also in the High Street and potentially Church Terrace and Frances Lane.

“It would compromise the coherence of the conservation area by its scale and height. It is insensitive to the historic character of the village and eradicates traditional forms, scale and features.

“A conservation area by its very nature comprises an integrated whole and the loss of an important structure within it affect that whole. The proposed development does not relate to the character, form, scale and appearance of the conservation area and is visually incongruous,” they added in objecting to the proposal and urging PCNPA’s development management committee to refuse the application.

Members of Saundersfoot Community Council have requested a site meeting regarding the plans, stating that with the proposals potentially having a major impact on the historical village, a site visit would be beneficial for Councillors to have any questions answered and to put into perspective the possible impact the proposed development may have.

Comments on social media from members of the public have seen less than complimentary remarks made about the design of the proposals, with one comparing the scheme to Tracy Island from Thunderbirds!

Another voicing their views stated: ‘This is outrageous over development of one of the most characterful areas of our beautiful village. The Oak is an iconic building and should remain untouched’ whilst one person believed that Saundersfoot will be ‘ruined’ if such building plans go ahead, going on to comment: ‘There are so many plans for so many new homes /apartments/etc that it will be unrecognisable before long. There’s progress (and nothing should stand still and stagnate) and there’s progress that damages’.

The plans can be viewed online at the PCNPA website under: NP/22/0359/FUL