A scheme described as ‘modern and innovative’ aiming to transform Saundersfoot’s traditional harbour into a major focal point on the Welsh coastline is set to go before Pembrokeshire National Park’s planning committee next week.

The application, submitted by the Harbour Commissioners Trust Port of Saundersfoot for the construction of a new marine centre at the village’s harbour, is set to go before members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee, on Wednesday, June 8.

The plans propose the construction of a new mixed use commercial building formed across four stories, featuring a Royal Yachting Association academy unit, marine workshops, marine/outdoor action retail, cafe and restaurant, offices for harbour administration and Wales Tourism, teaching rooms, coastal storm education centre, bedrooms and disabled accommodation

The proposals put forward indicate that the the scheme comprises phase two of a series of phases to redevelop the Saundersfoot harbour, following on from the construction of the new slipway from the harbour area to beach, installation of dry racking systems for boat storage, inner landing pontoon and access bridge, and decking over the sluice.

A recommendation of approval for the application (with conditions) from planning officer Andrew Richards, set to go before members of the PCNPA committee states that the development offers an opportunity to improve the quality of the environment at Saundersfoot harbour, and will be in keeping with the aims of the Local Development Plan, in that the scheme will conserve and enhance the existing character of the harbour and contribute positively to ensuring the long term viability of the harbour.

“This application has been submitted following pre-application discussions in relation to proposed works within Saundersfoot Harbour as a whole and also an initial pre-application consultation on the design of the proposed new marine centre,” explained Mr. Richards.

“Officers provided advice to the applicant in July 2015 confirming that the principle of the development was considered to be acceptable but thought should be given to looking to providing a wholly coherent modern or traditional building with quality materials that would compliment the harbour area,” he continued.

The proposed new structure will be positioned approximately on the same site as the former Jones and Teague Boat Yard demolished under planning consent NP/14/0584, and will maintain the new slipway access to Glen Beach and also provide the long term replacement of the previous unsightly boat yard structures on this site.

“The new building is large in scale and spread over four storeys within a dominant site with panoramic views across the harbour and also Saundersfoot Bay,” Mr. Richards’s report states.

“With the site enclosed on two sides by the existing high cliff backdrop, it is considered that the siting allows scope for a larger commanding building at this location compared to the eastern side of the harbour site.

“The current proposal is considered to be well integrated into this site and its immediate surroundings, and will have operational control over all the harbour’s commercial and leisure activities from this location.

“The design philosophy is to retain the character of the historic harbour and its architectural features and minimise the effect upon these aspects by replicating the stone harbour walls at low level to ensure the building maintains the horizontal appearance of the harbour walls and pier,” he added.