MoJ Urged To Abandon Prison Plan After Latest Decision Delay

The Leader of Harborough District Council wants the plan to build a massive new prison near Market Harborough to be abandoned after a decision on it was delayed for a fourth time.

The government says it still needs more time to consider the proposal for the 1,700-inmate so-called ‘super jail,’ which is earmarked for land near HMP Gartree.

A decision on the plan was due in just over a week’s time, but now won’t be made until November.

Cllr Phil Knowles spoke to HFM:

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

There is mass opposition to the prison plan from residents of villages near the proposed site and although Harborough District Council refused planning permission, the Ministry of Justice appealed the decision, prompting a Public Inquiry last October.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has also been fighting the proposal and continues to urge the government department responsible for the considering the plan to reject it:

The prison, which would cost around £300m to built if it went ahead would create over 800 jobs.

Cllr Phil King, county councillor for Market Harborough West and Foxton, is calling for a decision on the plan to be made promptly:

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told HFM: “The Government is creating 20,000 new prison places as part of plans to make sure the most serious offenders spend longer in prison.

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the plans for proposed new prisons while the appeal process is ongoing.”