Fresh plans have been submitted for a new seafront home for an award-winning Saundersfoot outdoor sauna after the national park rejected its previous permanent site.
In June, 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee granted permission for the mobile, wood-fired sauna to overlook Saundersfoot harbour for two years.
Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna later applied to keep the sauna there permanently, but the committee rejected the plan on officers’ advice in July.
In February, the business founded by former superyacht worker and mother-of-two Kerry won Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards and featured in the national press.
The permanent-site proposal won public support, with residents calling it “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.
The application was rejected because officers said it would harm the village’s conservation area, reduce public access to the seafront promenade and leave the new requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment unresolved.
The committee said it hoped an alternative location could be found.
After the refusal, Kerry Evans said she had begun the appeal process by writing to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
She added: “Part of the magic of that sauna is the view and the magic of the Pembrokeshire coast with the amazing light; people feeling slightly uptight come out relaxed, there’s a sense of space and connection with the outside world, which is hugely important for us as human beings.”
Since the refusal, a Change.org petition called Save Hwyl outdoor sauna Saundersfoot has attracted more than 620 signatures.
In her latest application, Kerry wants to site the sauna at Coppet Hall beach between the Coppet Hall Beach Centre and the tunnel to Wisemans Bridge.
Her application statement says: “The area is within the Hean Castle Estate at Coppet Hall. I have spoken with the owners and management of the estate, who feel the sauna would fit well with the other tourism offerings at Coppet Hall.
“These include an outdoor activity/hire centre, surf shop, café and Lan y Mor restaurant. There are also toilet and changing facilities and an outdoor cold-water shower.
“As an established business within Saundersfoot the sauna has been extremely well supported by the local community of businesses and residents.”
Kerry explained: “While I still plan to appeal [the refusal], a positive outcome at Coppet would give the business much greater stability.
“It would allow me to bring back gift vouchers and larger bulk buys, which give regular customers discounts and which I have had to remove because I am unsure whether I could honour them.
“I believe I stand a very good chance at appeal; however, this wonderful opportunity gives me more options to adapt whatever the outcome.”
National Park planners will consider the latest application at a later date.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
If you want to check what’s planned for your area, simply visit publicnoticeportal.uk and enter your postcode.
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