Kerry Evans, owner of the award-winning Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, has said she is still hoping her original sauna can remain at Saundersfoot Harbour after being told she would have to move the business elsewhere. Evans set up the sauna at the popular tourist location in 2024.
At the time, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park had only allowed her to be there for two years, an agreement which expired in the summer. Her application to have the sauna housed at the harbour permanently was then rejected.
Reasons for rejection
The authority said it rejected the sauna's application to be permanent because it believed the sauna would harm the village's conservation area, reduce public access to the seafront promenade, and fail to address a new requirement for a flood consequences assessment. A report reveals there were concerns that because the plans included a booking office it could constitute an overdevelopment.
Evans, whose plans to have the sauna in the village permanently won a lot of public support with 600 signatures for her petition to keep it, has now had plans for a new sauna approved at the beach at Coppet Hall. However, she says she still hasn't given up on keeping her original sauna at the harbour.
Appeal lodged for harbour site
"I have lodged my appeal for the village centre site, so my story at the harbour is not over yet," she said. "Let's wait and see what happens with that one too."
Evans said of the old sauna at the harbour: "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."
Support for new Coppet Hall location
Saundersfoot community council backed Evans' plans for the new sauna at Coppet Hall, while 12 members of the public also supported it, calling the sauna "a major asset to the local area" and "a unique and positive holistic service for sea swimmers all year round".
An officer report recommending approval reads: "The proposed scheme is considered acceptable in terms of its siting, its impact upon the special qualities of the National Park and visual amenity. Given the mobile nature of the sauna and booking office which are proposed to be sited on the land in question, there are no significant concerns in relation to flood risk, subject to the imposition of an appropriate condition requiring a written statement regarding management of this."
Evans said: "A big thank you to the Hean Castle Estate for offering me my wonderful new location with amazing views across the beach and Monkstone Point, and to Saundersfoot Harbour for being a fantastic home since I started my business in July 2024. I would also like to thank all my customers and the amazing people who have offered me support of all kinds over the last few months. It has really meant a lot."
She added: "I am just trying to finalise the relocation date and look forward to seeing everyone soon and sharing the same amazing sauna experience with a new view."
