A MEETING is said to be taking place between the Home Office and Pembrokeshire County Council today (Monday) following speculation that 500 asylum seekers are to be housed in Penally Army Camp.

Discussions have been rife on social media over the weekend that the camp is to be vacated and transferred to the Home Office for use as a migrant holding centre.

Similar rumours arose five years ago relating to Ministry of Defence camps at Penally, Manorbier and Castlemartin.

At the time, the UK government said that the MoD had advised on the possibility of providing the temporary accommodation, but that no decisions had been made.

In this instance, it is being claimed that the MoD and contractors had received formal instructions from central government to transfer the camp to the Home Office.

South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West MP Simon Hart, who is also Secretary of State for Wales, said in his capacity as an MP today: “A number of people have asked for further information about the possible use of Penally Camp for housing up to 500 asylum seekers whilst their situation is assessed. The Home Office is meeting Pembrokeshire County Council County Council later today, after which further information should be available.”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told the Western Telegraph this morning: "As of this moment, we have had no official notification from the Home Office, so cannot make any comment at this stage."

Penally county councillor, Jon Preston, said he had been informed that a 'scoping exercise' had been carried out at the camp.

He has now contacted Mr Hart as follows: "It has come to my attention that there may again be plans to change the use of Penally Army Camp to accommodate asylum seekers.

"Whilst I remain mindful of the humanitarian obligations UK Government are obliged to meet, you will no doubt appreciate such a development would raise significant interest for your constituents in South Pembrokeshire in particular the community that I represent on Pembrokeshire county council in Penally.

"Please could you advise me on what plans (if any) are being made for such a facility and if you, as Secretary of State for Wales intend to support or oppose moves to accommodate asylum seekers at Penally camp."