Power Bosses Apologise Over ‘Super Prison’ Blunder
Written by HFM News on 8th July 2022
Electricity bosses have apologised after announcing work was to start to provide power to the site of a planned new prison near Market Harborough.
An email sent to Parish Councils stated new cables would be laid from a substation on Farndon Road, through Lubenham to the side near HMP Gartree.
The company admits it was issued it error, as the so-called ‘super prison’ has not been given planning permission.
A spokesperson told HFM: “At Western Power Distribution, we work closely with the communities we serve and always endeavour to give advance notice of any planned work that may cause disruption.
“In the case of the new facility at Gartree, we followed our usual procedure of contacting the local council to inform them of possible disruption, following early stage discussions with the contractor about a new supply.
“Our plans to install this new supply are now on hold indefinitely pending the result of the planning enquiry and instructions from the developer.
“We apologise for any confusion caused by our correspondence with the local council which was issued in good faith at a time when we were not aware of the project’s planning status.”
Harborough District Council refused permission for the 1,700 inmate jail earlier this year, but the Ministry of Justice has appealed the decision, meaning a public inquiry will be held in October for a planning inspector to review the decision.
