THE EARLY stages of plans for a potential housing scheme at a Pembrokeshire military training camp, controversially used to house asylum seekers, have been submitted to the national park.

The camp, which has been in existence since 1860 as a military training facility, was prominent in the headlines between October 2020 and March 2021 when it became the controversial base for asylum seekers.

Amid protests from inside and outside its gates, the camp housed up to 250 asylum seekers at the height of its occupancy.

It came under fire from its residents and independent inspectors for its poor living conditions.

After the last of the asylum seekers departed, it was handed back to the MoD by the Home Office, who had previously repurposed it, the camp itself closed in late 2022, and was put up for sale the following year.

During the camp’s usage there were protests from both inside and outside the camp, with more than 200 people protesting at one stage against the plans and numerous arrests made.

The camp housed up to 250 men at any one time, and a 30-strong group of them took to the streets of Tenby in a march to show their unhappiness at what they said was their ‘prison-like’ environment.

At the time of that 2021 protest by the camp inhabitants, a spokesman for Stand Up to Racism West Wales said: “They have had enough of the poor food, bullying from security staff, cold huts, lack of medical care, blocked toilets, poor adherence to Covid regulations (some staff don’t bother to wear masks), lack of mental health support, but above all, being treated as prisoners rather than asylum seekers.

“Things must change.

“They need to be transferred to proper accommodation. Other camps in England are doing this.

“Why not Penally?”

Despite the-then Home Secretary Priti Patel maintaining that there had been consultation with ‘everybody’, a 2021 independent report stated that the Home Office did not consult in advance with local stakeholders – such as those who needed to set up healthcare for residents.

The inspectors were from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP).

Their report highlighted ‘filthy’ conditions in parts of the accommodation and residents feeling ‘depressed’, ‘hopeless’ and ‘trapped in poor conditions’.

An early stage ‘observations’ application, validated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, lists “Proposed residential redevelopment of the former Penally Training Camp,” the scheme listed as being received on January 7 and currently being processed.

The national park has been approached for further details about the scheme proposed.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is currently preparing its new well-being objectives which detail how the Authority will make a difference in improving the well-being of local people and communities.

The well-being objectives are part of the draft Corporate Strategy and a consultation has been launched for members of the public to provide feedback.

The Council’s current Corporate Strategy was agreed in May 2023 and details 12 well-being objectives.

The Council is now proposing to reduce the number of well-being objectives to four in order to provide a sharper focus around key challenges and opportunities.

The draft well-being objectives are:

• Our Future – enabling the best start in life for our children and young people, equipping them with skills for the future
• Our Place – prosperous places, with clean, safe and sustainable environments, where people can live well and thrive
• Our Communities – caring for people, and enabling active, resourceful and connected communities
• Our Council – a financially sustainable, well-governed Council, with a workforce equipped to support the people we serve

Following consultation, the agreed well-being objectives will be the back-bone of the new Corporate Strategy 2025 – 2030.

You can view the objectives online Draft Corporate Strategy 2025-30 and what the Council will do to deliver these.  

You can give your views by completing the online response form.

For a paper copy please call 01437 764551 or email [email protected]  

The closing date is February 2^nd 2025.

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) has published its interim State of Natural Resources Report 2025 (SoNaRR), urging immediate, collective action to combat the escalating degradation of Wales’ natural resources. The report highlights critical challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, alongside opportunities for sustainable solutions.

Comprehensive Assessment

Mandated under the Environment Act, SoNaRR is published every five years to evaluate the health of Wales’ ecosystems and their contributions to well-being. The interim report reviews air and water quality, the benefits of green spaces, and biodiversity across the nation.

A full report, due by the end of 2025, will provide updated evidence to guide the Welsh Government, public bodies, and stakeholders in sustainably managing natural resources.

Key Findings

The interim report identifies accelerating nature loss, climate change, and pollution as major threats to Wales’ environment, public health, and economy.

While progress has been made in areas such as net-zero ambitions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recycling, the ongoing decline of nature remains a pressing concern. The report warns of significant consequences for well-being and prosperity if immediate action is not taken.

Sir David Henshaw, Chair of NRW, stressed the importance of action: “Natural resources are the lifeblood of Wales, underpinning everything from the air we breathe to the industries that fuel our economy. This report marks a pivotal moment in Wales’ journey toward sustainability. By taking preventative action now and working together across society, we can reverse the damage and secure a healthier future.”

Recommendations for Action

NRW’s report calls for systemic change, urging governments, businesses, and communities to embed pro-nature thinking into their decision-making.

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said:
“Most solutions for saving nature already exist. This report, marking the 10th year of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, provides a critical route marker for action. Investing in community-owned nature schemes can reduce inequality and deliver tangible benefits now and for future generations.”

Looking Ahead

The interim report outlines how evidence will be presented in the full SoNaRR 2025, which will provide further insights and recommendations based on expert analysis and robust data.

As Wales approaches the 2026 Senedd election, the report emphasizes the need for urgent, unified action to protect the nation’s natural resources for future generations.

Photo Caption: NRW report highlights challenges facing Wales’ natural resources and the urgent need for collective action (Pic: Herald).