Councillors Criticize New Prison’s Name
Written by HFM on 11th November 2025
Both the leader of Harborough District Council and Gartree’s County Councillor are expressing their dismay with the name chosen for the new £300 million super prison being built near Market Harborough.
After a visit from Labour’s Justice Secretary David Lammy for the official “groundbreaking” last week, Conservative Councillor Phil King told HFM he was very disappointed to hear the Category B gaol will be called ‘HMP Welland Oaks’:
Then Liberal Democrat Harborough District Councik leader Phil Knowles – who’s long campaigned against the new prison alongside HMP Gartree – revealed he also thinks the name HMP Welland Oaks is inappropriate.
However, he says much of the blame lies with the previous government, and its then Secretary of State, Michael Gove…
The Ministry of Justice says the prison name was chosen after extensive consultation with local residents – selected from a shortlist of HMP Harcourt, HMP Devana and HMP Welland Oaks – and draws “inspiration from the geography and history of the local area”.
Justice Secretary David Lammy announced the name “Welland Oaks” when he visited the site last week
