The early stages of plans for a potential housing scheme at the former military training camp in Penally, 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 during the Covid lockdown.
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, 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 during the Covid lockdown. (Pic: Gareth Davies Photography)
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, 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.
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.
An early stage ‘observations’ application, validated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planners, lists ‘Proposed residential redevelopment of the former Penally Training Camp’ – with the scheme listed as being received on January 7 and currently being processed. (Pic. Gareth Davies Photography)
An early stage ‘observations’ application, validated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority planners, lists ‘Proposed residential redevelopment of the former Penally Training Camp’ – with 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.