Council Rejects Saturday Working On New Prison

Council bosses have turned down a request to allow construction work on a new £300m prison near Market Harborough on Saturdays.

It is currently only permitted on weekdays, but the Ministry of Justice wanted to work between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays for a ten-week period, from next month.

Harborough District Council planning officers have rejected the application to vary planning conditions relating to working hours, saying it did not take into account the impact on residents living near the site at Gartree.

The site of the new prison adjacent to HMP Gartree Pic: Clive Mason

The MoJ said the Saturday working was needed ‘so the project can be delivered at the earliest possible opportunity and protect the programme against any unforeseen delays.’

It still has the option to submit a full planning application for the Saturday working.

Construction of the 1700-inmate jail is due to start this month, after groundworks began at the site next to the existing HMP Gartree last year.