Saundersfoot Harbour Revision Order: notice of public inquiry

Harbours Act 1964 (as amended)

Proposed Saundersfoot Harbour Authority Revision Order 2020

Notice of public inquiry

Notice is hereby given that Mr Gethin Thomas, acting as Chair and appointed by the Welsh Government (“WG”) will open a public Inquiry into the application by the Saundersfoot Harbour Authority (“the SHA”) for the proposed Saundersfoot Harbour Revision Order 2020 (“Saundersfoot HRO”) under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964 at The Bay View Suite, Saundersfoot Harbour, The Harbour, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire SA69 9HE.  

The Inquiry will open at 10.00 am on Monday 2 February 2026 and is currently scheduled to sit until Friday 6 February 2026.

The Welsh Government have appointed Helen Wilson as the Programme Officer for the Inquiry. Anyone wishing to participate at the Inquiry should contact Helen at helen@programmeofficers.co.uk or 07879 443035. 

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Inquiry. 

Documents relating to, and further information about, the Inquiry can be obtained by emailing Helen at the address above, and / or Welsh Government at www.gov.wales providing details of your full name, postal address and contact telephone number.

Hard copies of the applicant’s documents, relating to the application, can be viewed between 9am – 5pm (Monday – Friday) at the Marine Centre, Saundersfoot Harbour, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire SA69 0HE. Weekend viewing would require prior notification for the building to be opened. For further details please email the Chief Executive Officer at  ceo@saundersfootharbour.co.uk. 

If made, the proposed Order would substantially amend the powers and duties of the SHA under The Harbours Act 1964 (“the 1964 Act”), and other relevant local legislation. 

It would make a series of changes to the constitutional and governance procedures of the SHA, including its amending, charging and borrowing powers.  The changes include:

• Increasing the number of Commissioners to a minimum of eight and a maximum of twelve.
• Creating a nominations committee to undertake the appointment of Commissioners. Following the creation of a nominations committee, the current appointment panel, which is the current means by which Commissioners are appointed, will be abolished.
• Allowing the Commissioners to regulate the activities of vessels which are in transit through the Harbour and which anchor / beach, for example in order to dump waste.
• Allowing the Commissioners to regulate or prohibit fishing from vessels at anchor in the Harbour.
• Increasing the Commissioners’ current borrowing power from £5,000,000 to £10,000,000.
• Increasing the limit on temporary borrowing (overdraft) by the Commissioners from £100,000 to £2,000,000. This is in addition to the £10,000,000 borrowing cap.
• Allowing Commissioners to serve a fourth consecutive three-year term, if determined by resolution of the Commissioners.
• Allowing the reappointment of the chair of Commissioners for a fourth consecutive term.
• The Commissioners shall appoint a remuneration committee including at least two Commissioners, who will have delegated responsibility for determining the remuneration of the Commissioners and the chair of the Commissioners and may, at the Commissioners request, advise on the remuneration of executive officers. The remuneration committee shall be authorised to obtain external advice if it is deemed necessary.

The original HRO was published in the London Gazette, the Tenby Observer, and the harbour’s website on 19 June 2020, there followed a 42-day statutory consultation which ended on 31 July 2020. 

On 9th February 2024, the applicant submitted a revised proposed Order.

Dated: Thursday 11^th December 2025.

Anyone seeking further information should contact Helen at helen@programmeofficers.co.uk or 07879 443035.