RESIDENTS around Waterston and Llanstadwell say they will be forced to move if the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant goes ahead.

The comments followed last week's county council decision consenting to hazardous substances being stored at the site.

Cattle farmer Les Philpin says he will have to leave the house where he was born and the land he has worked most of his life.

"This will devastate our lives," he said, "we just hope and pray something can be done". Terminal plans show pipelines, with a 45-metre working width, running across seven of Les's fields - fields which have remained unploughed for generations and produce some of the finest grazing in Wales.

"I cannot see how the hell we can carry on farming as the process is going to take up to two years," he said. "This is not a job for me, it's a way of life."

Both Les and wife Eirwen say they have not slept for weeks as they helplessly watch their livelihoods being destroyed.

Like other residents, Les is further angered that he was never contacted about the plans, despite his home being just 100 metres from the plant.

"Nobody ever spoke to me," he said, "we only found out because Eirwen was at a neighbour's house when the council hand-delivered them a letter."

During last week's county council meeting, one councillor called on Petroplus to buy all the homes within a two-mile radius of the plant.

The proposal echoed Texaco's purchase of properties at Rhoscrowther 11 years ago.

However, rather than one village, the suggested radius would include all of Waterston, Llanstadwell, Neyland and Pembroke Dock. Should the scheme also be applied to the already agreed South Hook terminal, all of Milford Haven, Herbrandston and Angle would also come under the hammer.

Les attended the council meeting, but remained unimpressed. "It was a washout," he said, "a complete nonsense".