News that the former armament depot at Trecwn is to be put up for sale again has been greeted with a mixed reaction in the community.

While new jobs are vital to the area, swift and strong assurances will be sought from any new owners that the site will remain nuclear waste free.

The depot has been dogged with controversy since its closure by the Ministry of Defence in 1995 with nearly 500 job losses. It is currently owned by Omega Pacific, which originally planned a jet engine refurbishment plant at Trecwn.

Those plans were ditched when the European Union introduced new noise engine criteria. In 1998, the company dropped the bombshell that the 57 underground tunnels could be used for nuclear waste storage.

Since then, Omega Pacific directors - Ulick and Des McEvaddy, of Dublin-based Omega Air, and Alan Parker of WR Trust - have been at loggerheads over the direction which the development of the site should take. The McEvaddys opposed the nuclear waste plan.

The dispute resulted in a recent county court hearing in Manchester at which the two parties have been ordered to sell the site. If they cannot agree who is to sell it within five weeks, the judge will make the decision. It has been suggested Mr Alan Parker has already found a buyer but he has refused to comment on this.

There is speculation the company is Hampton Trust Plc, which is involved in property investment, development and dealing.

Andrew Clemence, chairman of PANA - Pembrokeshire Anti Nuclear Alliance - says his group was very concerned over the sudden proposed sale. Mr Parker has never denied he intends to store nuclear waste at the site and we fear the company he proposes to install will just act as a cover to his true intentions, he said.

We hope that whoever purchases the site has a valid and sustainable business plan and will immediately add nuclear exclusions to the planning permissions.'

But Mr Clemence warned that the fight to keep Pembrokeshire nuclear free would continue.

Local county councillor Alwyn Luke said: We will want very early and very strong assurances over the nuclear waste issue.

David Thomas, Pembrokeshire County Councils head of communications, said: We are hoping these moves will lead to some activity taking place in Trecwn. But as we dont know who is going to purchase the place or the method of sale, we will keeping a close watch on any company that buys it and will be seeking an early meeting to discuss their intentions and plans for the site. If any suitable industrial or economic development is planned then we will be as supportive as possible.