Milford Mercury | Local News, Sport & Entertainment

Couple face LNG invasion

From the Milford Mercury, first published Thursday 21st Apr 2005.

A RETIRED Pembrokeshire couple fear their peaceful lives could be shattered by an army of LNG workers moving right next door.

Pat and Danny Thomas of Waterston have been left shell-shocked by the plan to house Petroplus LNG contractors in caravans just over their garden wall.

The details of the plan are not yet in the public domain but the Mercury understands that it involves 40 caravans for 120 men.

Mr and Mrs Thomas, 67 and 64, say they "feel like a bombshell has been dropped on them."

They told the Mercury: "We know people who have been through all this before when Gulf was built. They said the men were coming home at all hours, drunk and swearing. It was unbearable. People found them in their front gardens and they think we will have the same here."

They added: "If it had been a factory or garage going there that would be fine, it would be people running a business. They would come here in the morning and go home at night. We wouldn't object to that but what we do object to is coming and going at all hours and drinking because that's what would happen.

"To plant the workmen in one site like that is ridiculous. What about toilets for example? There could be a row of portable loos for all we know."

But Mr and Mrs Thomas say security is their main concern. Just a small wall separates their cottage from the land earmarked for the caravans. Mr Thomas said: "We can't be living on top of this. We have never had to worry about anybody coming onto the property but now we are really worried about it. They could build a 10ft wall but it still wouldn't give us our privacy."

And if the caravan site goes ahead Mr and Mrs Thomas will find themselves surrounded by the LNG development.

A works entrance has been created opposite their home and the gas pipeline is planned for a field on the other side of the cottage.

"When we moved here we thought `what a lovely place' but now they have destroyed it. Even if we were thinking about selling it no-one would buy it with a caravan site next door," they said.

As well as the impact on their lives, the couple also feel the county will miss out.

"They always said the hotels and B&Bs would get the work people and the money would be shared out. They should let the guest houses and businesses benefit."

Mr and Mrs Thomas have now contacted a solicitor to look into the permission needed to build on the wasteland.

Their understanding is that temporary accommodation could only be placed on the land for 28 days. They are also trying to organise a petition. County Councillor Ken Edwards, who represents part of Waterston, said:

"If you are going to have a development there it will have to be a very sensitive development and not just a `travelling site.' Both Llanstadwell community council and Pembrokeshire County Council will watch developments very carefully."

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: "We have received an application but as it has not yet been registered it is not in the public domain."

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