Monks fear peace and quiet will be shattered (From Western Telegraph)

Monks fear peace and quiet will be shattered

A near-silent order of monks claims plans to test fire powerful missiles at a Pembrokeshire artillery range after dark will devastate their island community.

Since 1929, Caldey Island has been home to Cistercian monks, an order which tends to only speak when necessary.

Their peace could be shattered if the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority allows the Ministry of Defence to fire missiles at night.

The MOD is seeking permission to begin test firing missiles at the range on 20 nights a year.

Residents claim the explosions can reach 120 decibels and would disrupt nearby communities.

The abbot of Caldey Island, Father Daniel Van Santvoort, agrees. He says it threatens the very existence of the monastic community.

He has written a personal plea to the Authority's development management officer, Cathy Milner.

"Apart from the month of August this area will be polluted for most of the year," said Father Daniel. "Surely, this cannot and must not happen. I sincerely hope that a sufficient amount of objections will help to put this devastating decision off the agenda."

The campaign group, No! To The Manorbier Missile! claims Caldey Island would be one of the worst affected sites.

"Caldey Island is only a couple of kilometres in direct line of the site, with nothing but open water between the island and the firing point on the headland at Manorbier," said a spokesman for the group.

"The noise effects will possibly be worse than those which currently affect Manorbier. Manorbier is at least partially shielded by a hill while the island is not afforded this protection."

Although the campaign group argues that alternative sites are available both in the UK and abroad, with no impact on a local community, the MOD says Manorbier is the most suitable location.

It says the application would not increase the overall amount of firing at the range as it would cut back on day-time exercises.