Immigration officials are meeting with Pembrokeshire county council, Welsh government representatives and the chief of Police this afternoon (Monday) to discuss the possibility of Penally Training Camp housing asylum seekers.

With speculation on plans to change the use of Penally Army Camp to accommodate migrants resurfacing over the weekend, Penally’s County Councillor Jon Preston moved to seek clarification on the situation, contacting the Welsh Secretary of State.

The Observer was told over the weekend that information received by one local resident on Friday stated that they they had been informed that the MOD and contractors have received formal instructions from central government to vacate the Penally Army Camp by Monday (September 14), adding that central government had transferred the camp to the Home Office with the proposed intent to use the camp as a 'migrant holding centre'.

Giving an update on the matter this morning, Clr. Preston stated: “Following a lengthy conversation with a home office immigration service director this morning I can share the following information.

“Apologies were given for the way in which this situation has unfolded following a possible leak of UK government sensitive information.

“I am advised that an influx of over 330 boats have arrived on UK shores carrying people seeking asylum over the last few days and that this has been the case for many weeks.

“It remains an unavoidable fact that the UK government are obliged to provide food, shelter and medical aid to those who arrive. Due to Covid-19 it has become increasingly more difficult to find suitable shelters and there now stands an ‘urgent’ need to explore alternative sites.

“The teams seen at Penally Training Camp over the weekend were immigration officers and private contact service providers. The purpose of their attendance was to carry out a scoping exercise and assess the suitability of the training camp as a holding unit for up to around 250 refugees.”

Clr. Preston went onto state that no decision had yet been made but that the situation was ‘developing at pace’ with immigration officials meeting with Pembrokeshire County Council, Welsh government and the chief of Police this afternoon (Monday).

Clr. Preston who said that his request to attend the meeting was declined, explained that if Penally training unit was to be used it would be in a ‘short term’ capacity of approximately six months.

“All incoming refugees are screened on arrival and placed in appropriate accommodation (for deportation or asylum). The impact on the local community will be assessed,” he continued.

“I have made it clear to the Home Office that whilst I fully appreciate the need to accommodate those fleeing from persecution, my role is to represent the people of Penally who would be directly affected by such a decision.

“I have pointed out the fragility of our tourism industry during Covid-19 and the close proximity of the camp to the residential areas in Penally.

“To this end I have put forward alternative suitable sites that would have a far lesser impact on the local community but would have the infrastructure to care for refugees. Swinderby is a former RAF recruit training unit in Lincoln or if the location is a determining factor Cawdor Barracks (formerly RAF Brawdy). The home office showed genuine interest in these sites and will carry out further analysis.

“I should have additional information this afternoon following the various meetings that are taking place today.

“However, I am sure you are all aware that such a decision would be made by the UK government and is largely out of the hands of Welsh government and the Local Authority. Anyone wishing to comment should in the first instance contact Simon Hart MP, Secretary of State for Wales at [email protected],” he added.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart, said in his capacity as South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West MP today: “I have now spoken to the Home Secretary, who is exploring (with a range of partners and Government departments) opportunities for further COVID-19 compliant accommodation for those seeking asylum.

“Following the submission of a request, the Ministry of Defence have commenced scoping options across the UK. One of the sites under active consideration is Penally Training Camp.

“The Home Office and the Ministry of Defence are working hard to ensure Penally Training Camp is compliant with COVID-19 regulations and will have minimal impact on the local community. It is estimated by the Home Office that the site would temporarily house around 250 people if this option is agreed.

“I am in contact with the Home Secretary and Pembrokeshire County Council who in turn are speaking to Dyfed Powys Police and other stakeholders.”