Inspector To Consider Evidence As Inquiry Into ‘Super-Prison’ Concludes

A planning inspector is to consider evidence after a Public Inquiry into the building of a massive new prison near Market Harborough concluded.

Legal teams made their closing submissions as the fortnight-long hearing came to an end this afternoon.

Campaigners argue it is not the right place for such a big jail, while the Ministry of Justice say it will bring ‘great investment’ to the area.

Barrister Jack Barber, who represented Gartree Action Group at the hearing, said this in his closing remarks:

Campaigners gathered outside the Symington Building

The inquiry was prompted after the MoJ challenged Harborough District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to build the 1700-inmate prison on land near HMP Gartree earlier this year.

The council’s barrister Howard Leithead said this in his closing submission:

The area where the prison would have been built.  Pic: Andy Carpenter

The MoJ’s barrister, Robert Walton KC, said this in his final comments:

Typically, it is the Planning Inspector which makes a final decision, however, in this case she will make a recommendation to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Simon Clarke, who will have the final say of if the appeal has been successful.

Planning inspector Hayley Butcher thanked everyone who had given evidence at the inquiry:

Campaigners gathered outside the Symington Building