Residents remain unconvinced about plans for a remote farm in the Preselis, despite assurances no prisoners will be brought there.

More than 400 people packed into Ysgol y Preseli’s hall last night (Monday) for a heated public meeting chaired by Councillor Huw George about proposals for Plas Dwbl, Mynachlogddu.

Representatives of Plas Dwbl, Ruskin Mill and the Responsive Earth Trust made presentations, and were joined by observers from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and police.

Locals stated there was a lack of information and trust about the project, which they believed could bring criminals to the area.

Aonghus Gordon, of Ruskin Mill, said: "It’s clear there are deep concerns about prisoners coming to Plas Dwbl."

He added that the project was in the early stages, and no business plan had been formed.

He described Ruskin Mill as a pioneering community project working with vulnerable youngsters, teaching them skills.

Shaun Hague, of the Responsive Earth Trust, explained Plas Dwbl could face bankruptcy if it did not diversify, and made assurances no prisoners would be involved.

He would not comment when asked if anyone from the prison service had visited Plas Dwbl.

He added ex-prisoners may be brought to the farm, subject to a CRB check, but no violent people would be brought there.

Mr Hague said: "Currently we are not having any conversations with the prison service. An open prison has never been considered. I’m afraid it’s just a case of chinese whispers."

A Plas Dwbl neighbour said she was told by a trustee that prisoners would be part of the project.

She said: "The reason you don’t have a business plan is you had to turn this round quickly. You changed your mind because of the strength of opposition we managed to muster."

Other locals referred to the "clumsy" way the Trust had handled the community’s concerns.

The Trust agreed to liaise with the community council in future, but a straw poll at the end of the meeting showed the majority of people were not persuaded by what they had heard.

Following the meeting, a spokesman for Parc Prison said: "Preliminary discussions have taken place regarding several prospective projects with Ruskin Mill Education Trust; however, nothing has been or would be agreed without consultation with the community."