Council Rejects Plan To Build ‘Superjail’ New Market Harborough

Plans to build a ‘superjail’ near Market Harborough have been rejected.

There were cheers from campaigners as councillors last night voted unanimously to refuse planning permission for the 1700- inmate prison being built on land near HMP Gartree.

Harborough District Council’s planning committee ruled the £300m development would have had a harmful impact on the countryside and was in contradiction to Local Plan policies.

Campaigners held a protest before last night’s meeting.
Pic: Andy Carpenter

There was strong opposition to the Ministry of Justice’s proposal, with over 360 objections lodged with the council.

Campaigners, who held a protest outside the council offices before the meeting, spoke passionately about their concerns, including village roads not being cope with increased traffic, as over 700 staff would be employed at the new prison.

More reaction to the decision to come…