An open letter has been sent to the Home Secretary from Pembrokeshire County Council, the Hywel Dda University Health Board and local stakeholders expressing concern about the decision to relocate asylum seekers to Penally.

Following the controversial decision by the Home Office to repurpose the village’s army training camp to accommodate up to 250 males, with the majority of occupants believed to be from Iran and Iraq, the letter signed by PCC’s leader Clr. David Simpson, and chief executive Ian Westley has called for the decision to be reversed.

Local Health Board chair Maria Battle and chief executive Steve Moore, along with Senedd member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Angela Burns and Penally county councillor Jon Preston have all put their signatures to the correspondence sent to the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, as well as church ministers from the locality, stating that they are ‘particularly disappointed’ by the lack of communication and discussion with local stakeholders and the local community.

“Proper consultation would have immediately made it clear that Penally Camp is unsuitable accommodation, particularly for men who may have experienced trauma, great hardship and have been separated from their families” - states the letter.

“The buildings are in a poor condition, in a rural location with one village shop and no established support network. It is unprecedented in Wales that people seeking asylum are ‘cohorted’ together in such a large number in unsuitable accommodation.

“We have real concerns that they are being moved out of rented accommodation within the Wales refugee support network.”

The correspondence makes reference to the four dispersal centres in Wales in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham, in areas that have ‘well-established infrastructures’ to welcome and care for asylum seekers, with accommodation, health, pastoral and cultural care and legal advice readily available and funded in these localities.

“No such infrastructure or funding exists in Pembrokeshire - it is our opinion that this decision is wrong both for our local community and for the welfare of these men who are seeking sanctuary in our country,” continues the correspondence.

“Pembrokeshire is a warm, welcoming county and we can assure you that those who live here would be only too keen to show their compassion for those who have suffered greatly.

“Sadly, the way in which this sensitive issue has been handled can only have added to their trauma and given them the wrong impression of the area in which we live. It has also created a sense of fear and uncertainty among those who live here.

“We are keen to hold out the hand of friendship to those in need but we are also aware of the feelings of local residents and are keen to maintain a sense of ‘community cohesion.’

“If there had been a more considered and caring approach, we would not have witnessed the ugly scenes that took place outside the camp last Monday (September 21).

“It is vital that all stakeholders be involved in any future decisions. We need no ‘winners’ and losers. We will all lose if we do not move together.

“We will do all we can to support both the local community and the asylum seekers you intend to place here, but we ask you to listen to our real concerns and reverse your decision,” adds the letter.

Meanwhile, on Saturday (September 26) two peaceful protests took place outside the Penally camp - with those opposing the decision present to demonstrate; as well as those who are showing solidarity with refugees that are arriving at the facility.Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire who was present on Saturday outside the Penally camp alongside the Stand Up to Racism West Wales Forum group said: "Asylum Seekers have fled war, violence and persecution. A military camp is not the right location for vulnerable people. “I therefore hope that any stay in Penally Camp is temporary because this accommodation is not suitable for long term use. “It's time for the UK and Welsh Governments to work together to find suitable long term accommodation for people who are trying to settle down and start a new life as anyone who found themselves in their situation would.“I am also very concerned that the Home Office have said they will not be providing any financial assistance. This will affect Hywel Dda Health Board and Pembrokeshire County Council very badly,” he added.