THE SITE of the former Hubberston School in Hakin, Milford Haven, will be used as a temporary site for the homeless a Herald investigation has uncovered.

Work has started on the highly secretive plans following demolition of the school buildings.

The plan has been put into action before any consultation with local councillors, the residents of Observatory Avenue, or the wider Hakin community, this newspaper can confirm.

Builders working for Pembrokeshire County Council have been laying down the groundworks for ‘pods’ which will provide the accommodation on the site.

Rumours began after contractors started the construction of a wall, an access ramp, and other ground works.

We asked the Council whether the development would be used to for temporary accommodation for Pembrokeshire’s homeless.

The council refused to confirm or deny the plans but they were evasive, saying only the following: “Minor works are currently taking place at the former Hubberston VC school site following the demolition of the school buildings.

“The Council is currently considering options for developing new social housing on the site to meet the high demand for housing in the local community.

“The Council will be consulting with the local community as those plans develop.”

But that statement appears to be disingenuous, as construction of the facility for the homeless is well underway.

The Herald has now had on-the-record confirmation from a contact in the local authority stating that the plan is going ahead.

The Herald also got confirmation from the same source that suggestions that asylum seekers would be accommodated in the pods were untrue.

We pushed the point again with the Council’s press office but a spokesperson said they would not comment further.

However, in November 2020, delegated decision was made by the Director of Social Services and Cabinet Member for Housing to award a contract to ISO Spaces South West Limited for the provision of eight pre-constructed accommodation units or ‘pods’.

These pods are likely to be the ones to be sited in Hakin, The Herald understands.

Residents have expressed concern about the prospect of an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime in the area, citing the experience of Johnston residents when the Silverdale was used for temporary accommodation during the pandemic.

One resident of Observatory Avenue we spoke to, who asked not to be named at this stage, said that the location was “the worst possible” due to it being in a “high density area”.

Our source added: “I am absolutely stunned that the local authority can spend tax payers’ money to start building this facility in a residential street without even telling the residents.

“Whist I accept there must be provision for the homeless in every council area, I feel that they must be bonkers to build this facility here in our street – and why have they been deliberately secretive about these plans.

“What have they got to hide? Why a super-secret plan? Is this Silverdale Part 2?”