National Park Authority celebrates RTPI Cymru award for Saundersfoot Harbour regeneration project

The award recognises the role of planning in supporting the transformation of Saundersfoot Harbour into a resilient, year-round destination, with new commercial, community and visitor facilities helping to support local businesses, public access, events and wider regeneration.

Delivered by Saundersfoot Harbour with planning input from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the project was praised by judges as “an exemplar for coastal economic resilience in smaller settlements” and “a very good example of planning enabling place-based regeneration.”

The judges highlighted the project’s clear economic and community benefits, including investment, job creation, new local business space, major events, year-round activity, improved public access and the reuse of brownfield and heritage assets. They also recognised the role of planners in addressing design changes, conservation area issues, flood risk, accessibility and the coordination of several linked schemes within a working harbour.

Sara Morris, Director of Place and Engagement at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted that Phase 2 of the Saundersfoot Harbour Redevelopment Project has been recognised by RTPI Cymru.

“This award is a real testament to the value of good planning in helping places adapt, thrive and deliver lasting benefits for their communities. Saundersfoot Harbour is a hugely important location, both locally and strategically, and this project shows how careful planning can support regeneration while respecting the character, heritage and environmental challenges of a coastal setting. I would particularly like to thank Andrew Richards and Nicola Gandy who both led on the planning aspects of the project for the Authority.

“The judges’ comments underline the strength of the partnership approach behind the project, and we are very pleased to see the work of our planning team recognised alongside Saundersfoot Harbour’s ambition and commitment. The final delivered scheme is a result of significant work from the Harbour, local businesses and the community who have transformed Saundersfoot’s offer.”

Ted Sangster, Chairman of Saundersfoot Harbour Commission, said: “Saundersfoot Harbour congratulates Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on this award. As a trust port we operate very much as a commercial business but with no shareholders (and therefore no dividends to pay) and our strategy is to provide real, long-term benefit for our community and all users of the harbour.

“The successful Phase 2 of the harbour development now provides both an active fishing and recreational sailing harbour and an all-year-round visitor attraction serving an increasingly diverse range of users and has created around 100 new jobs – so far. Our work with local businesses and stakeholders has been greatly assisted and supported by the open and consultative partnership with the Park Authority, which is based on the shared aim of sustainable economic delivery and social benefit to our community.”

As winner of the Best Project category in Wales, the Saundersfoot Harbour project will also be automatically entered as a finalist in the UK National Awards for Planning Excellence. The national finalists will be formally announced by the RTPI on 7 October 2026, ahead of the UK national finals on 3 December.

The Authority is also pleased to note that the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales, developed by a working group from across Wales including Principal Planning Officer (Strategic Policy) Gayle Lister, won the Chair’s Award at the RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence 2026.

Sara added: “It is particularly pleasing to see the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales recognised alongside the Saundersfoot Harbour project. Protecting dark skies is an important part of caring for the special qualities of Wales’ landscapes, and this guidance reflects the value of collaboration across planning, conservation and environmental disciplines.”

The RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning to make a positive difference to places and communities.

Further information about the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence is available at www.rtpi.org.uk/excellence.