Saundersfoot Harbour
Comprehensive redevelopment projects in the Coastal National Park for the Maritime Centre of Excellence
Project information
Client
Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners
Partners
Powell Dobson Architects
Location
Saundersfoot, West Wales
The Challenge
The project involved a series of major projects in Saundersfoot centre, as part of the long-term economic and tourism regeneration strategy. The village is within the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, and is significant in the regional tourism offer.
The challenge was to manage a five important sites through the planning process addressing key issues of impact on: heritage; economy; flood risk (fluvial and tidal); traffic; access; parking; visual and landscape; stakeholders; and functioning of the harbour.
Our Role
We managed the complete planning process for each project to secure permissions and address pre commencement requirements for:
Revisions to the Maritime Centre of Excellence (training centre, food and drink, accomodation);
Extension to the Coal Building to provide exhibition space and overnight accommodation;
Ocean Square new retail provision (15 units) plus covered plaza;
Replacement harbour decking to create events’ space; and,
Schooner building coastal heritage museum.
The work involved a complicated range of significant issues for each project, with positive impacts on the local economy and community, but with potential flood risk issues, heritage impacts, and consideration against National Park policies. Our work required a deep understanding of place, and how we could bring major improvements, whilst retaining the area’s original values.
The Outcome
Each of the projects were granted planning permission and have now been implemented. The village, harbour, and International Coastal Centre is now seen as a vital part of the ‘Welsh Riviera’.
