AFTER The Herald broke the news last week that Penally Training Camp was the subject of a potential change of usage from a training centre for military personnel to a holding centre for up to 1000 migrants who are waiting to be granted asylum in the UK, there has been a huge reaction from the local community and the surrounding area.

This week a government official confirmed that: “As part of a range of options being considered by UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration), the MOD (Ministry of Defence) has advised on the possibility of providing temporary accommodation for asylum applicants on the Defence estate.”

Although they were quick to add at the end that as of yet; “No decisions have been made.”

Local Penally resident Robert Treharne Davies, the owner of Crackwell Farm, which is next door to the Army Training Base was concerned about the plans and the effect it may have on an already stretched police force:

“If they are to press ahead with these plans I would assume that they will be recruiting a significant amount of extra police officers.

“I remember some years ago the police were up in arms about the potential re-opening of Chequers Nightclub, a place where possibly 600 people would cause minimal trouble once or twice a week because they couldn’t police it. If there is to be up to 1000 asylum seekers based at the camp, I would expect a great deal more trouble. It would make anything that happened at Chequers look like a tea party.

“The uncertainty of what is happening in the country is the worrying thing for me. Immigration is out of control; last year alone there was over 300,000 immigrants allowed into the UK and that is worrying.

“However I am also worried for the people themselves. They obviously have no money and have escaped some terrible situations, and they would basically be welcomed into the UK by being sent to what is effectively a prison.

“They would be cooped up in Penally or any other camp until their asylum processes are processed and effectively told, ‘go home or stay in this camp’, it is an awful position to be in”

Mr Davies was also concerned about the amount of money a change of usage for the camp would cost, as well as worrying about the potential lack of training facilities for young army recruits:

“At the minute the camp is incredibly busy throughout the summer and other months with young recruits who are training and using the MOD firing range. Would this facility just be lost?

“It would surely cost a huge amount of money. At the minute there is basically a chicken wire fence around the perimeter of the grounds and anyone could walk in or out.

“In Calais they have had huge structures and the ‘ring of steel’ fencing but it hasn’t stopped people from breaking out. I dread to think how much money it would cost to secure the fence in order to secure it. As it stands at the minute, the guards could come in one morning and they would all be gone!”

County Councillor for East Williamston Jacob Williams couldn’t see the logistical advantage in housing asylum seekers in south Pembrokeshire, saying: “I’d be surprised if it did happen. I don’t think it will happen. It seems very strange to me why they would take them to Penally when it is so far away from any ports.

“Maybe they are considering it but I’d be surprised if it did happen as it is a long way from any entry to the UK.”