Prisoners at farm plan sparks fears (From Western Telegraph)

Responsive Earth Trust's prisoner plans for Plas Dwbl, Mynachlogddu, spark fears

3:04pm Thursday 8th July 2010 in News

Plans to bring prison inmates to a remote farm in the Preseli Hills have resulted in grave concerns from residents.

The proposed development by the Responsive Earth Trust at Plas Dwbl, Mynachlogddu, has met with opposition from the community as rumours and a lack of information have led to anxiety.

The location was previously used for biofarming and visited by foreign students, but there are now believed to be plans to accommodate prison inmates who will take part in creative activities at the site.

One resident said: “People have grave concerns. The area is very rural and there are a lot of vulnerable people living here.

“There are fears for personal safety and the damage that could be done to property if these people abscond.”

She added: “People have been asking the organisation lots of questions and it has not answered them. There is a lot of bad feeling in the area.”

Local county councillor Huw George has organised a public meeting for people to voice their concerns and receive information about the development.

The panel will include representatives from Plas Dwbl, Bridgend’s Parc Prison, Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

It is understood no violent criminals or paedophiles will be brought to Plas Dwbl, but some will have drug problems. There will be a police presence there.

A Plas Dwbl spokesman said: “The trustees of the Responsive Earth Trust at Plas Dwbl are looking to develop the farm for the future, and are exploring many options for community use.

“At the forthcoming public meeting a presentation will be made on behalf of the project, and questions and concerns raised by local people will be addressed.”

At the end of the meeting people will be asked if they are happy with the project having heard all the information.

Cllr George added: “I would like the panel to understand how people feel about this. I would hope the voice of the public would affect what they do.”

The public meeting will be held in Theatr y Gromlech, Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych, on Monday, July 12th, at 7pm.

anwen.humfrey@ westerntelegraph.co.uk