A National Park refusal of the permanent siting of an award-winning outdoor sauna in Saundersfoot, which has been featured in the national press, is likely to be appealed, its owner has said.

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

Since then, a further application by Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna to make the siting permanent was submitted to national park planners, which was refused following an officer recommendation at the July committee meeting.

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, and the facility has featured in the national press.

The permanent siting proposal had gained support from the public saying it was “a major asset to the village,” and “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

It was refused on the grounds the sauna “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,” it was “located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route,” and an updated, since its previous permission, need for a Flood Consequences Assessment which hadn’t been addressed.

At the meeting, applicant Kerry Evans said the sauna had been a “successful local business,” which had attracted thousands to the village with a thriving community around it, with donations to charities and local fundraisers.

She said the current location against beach-side railings was “fundamental to its success,” providing users with “privacy and dignity,” while allowing them stunning views across the bay.

After the scheme was refused committee members had expressed their hopes a different harbourside location could be found for the sauna.

Speaking after the planning refusal, Kerry Evans said she had started the early stages of a potential appeal over the decision by writing to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), adding: “We had amazing support from Cllr Chris Williams and [former county councillor] Phil Baker, [and a petition of some 600 signatures in support]; we had all the right people in the right places but it wasn’t actually been taken on board.”

On the reasons for refusal, Kerry said the flood risk issue seemed “a little bit nonsensical,” with the sauna operating for two years without any issues, the mobile sauna being moved in poor weather conditions as “it would be foolish to leave it there”.

On potential alternative locations, she said: “If there was somewhere suitable I’m obviously happy to look at that, but having explored it quite extensively there aren’t many areas; there’s a need for privacy, I have no control about who would be looking through the window.

“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.”

She went on to say: “We’re trying to arrange a meeting with the officers and the CEO of the harbour,” adding: “Everyone said ‘we want this business to work,’ if they’ve got a genius idea, I’m open to suggestions.

“To me it seems like a real shame it’s been refused, the only material change is it’s now proven to be a safe and successful business.

“It’s a frustration, all that hard work is being put in jeopardy by this decision.”

Since the refusal, a change.org petition entitled Save Hwyl outdoor sauna Saundersfoot, has been set up, attracting more than 300 signatures to date.