Plans for pirate bar in seaside village to be refused
A decision is due on the rum bar plans for the Coastal Schooner interpretation centre in Saundersfoot as the proposals are recommended for refusal
The Coastal Schooner in Saundersfoot Harbour.
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
Plans for a pirate-themed bar at a family venue in a Pembrokeshire seaside village, which was partly built to reflect its coal heritage, are likely to be rejected next week. Jonathan Thomas of 'Schooner' has applied for permission to convert the Coastal Schooner interpretation centre in Saundersfoot Harbour into a rum-themed bar.
The application is being considered by committee members rather than planning officers as it was called in by a member of the authority. The schooner – a key feature on the village's National Events Deck – was constructed to highlight Saundersfoot's maritime heritage and is part of the £10m Wales Coastal Centre project.
The building replicates a traditional coastal schooner vessel that operated from the harbour during the coal mining era to transport coal from Saundersfoot. The interpretation centre closed in October 2024, and the proposed rum bar would operate from 11am-11pm. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
The plans to establish the pirate and rum-themed bar with a terrace on the boat have upset villagers who are already frustrated at unsuccessful attempts to make the project commercially viable. Saundersfoot Community Council and Saundersfoot South county councillor Chris Williams have expressed their objections to the plans.
Councillor Williams has previously stated: "My principal concern now lies with the proposed change of use.
"I strongly believe that if this had been the original application, it would never have been approved in this location.
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"To allow such a transformation through a change of use application undermines the original planning process and sets a concerning precedent.
"It's disappointing that in the past few years, nothing has ever proved viable at the schooner. I just wish there had been more interaction with the community, because I feel that residents should be at the heart of all developments in the village.
"The pursuit of commercial viability must not come at the cost of appropriateness and respect for the site's character as a busy working harbour."
Saundersfoot Community Council objected to the scheme on the basis, saying the proposal as a rum bar "raises concerns in this location and is considered to be at odds with the current family venue and heritage elements".
A supporting statement accompanying the application says: "The maritime theme will be maintained as the bar will include a small-scale rum distillery and will focus on the Martine history associated with rum and tell the tales of local pirates.
"The Schooner operated as an interpretation centre and high ropes offer for a year from October 2023 to October 2024. However, it has proved not to be a viable option to run the Schooner as an interpretation centre alone and an additional use is sought to maintain the interpretation element of the Schooner.
"The High Ropes offer proved to be an unviable option to retain going forward."
The proposal aims to transform the site into a mixed-use interpretation centre and bar, drawing inspiration from the Rum Story in Whitehaven Harbour, albeit on a smaller scale.
According to the plans: "The proposal will allow for the Schooner to be maintained and be freely open to the public thus protecting and enhancing the community facilities to meet the needs of local people and visitors alike.
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"The proposal would also sustain the future of the interpretation element of the Schooner which in turn will protect and enhance the harbour, which is one of the key attractions in Pembrokeshire."
However, an officer's report has recommended refusal, citing that the scheme falls outside the defined retail area of the seaside village and may negatively impact the local amenity, particularly for nearby residents.
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