Villagers To Meet Officials Over Plans For New Prison

The first of three public consultation events about plans for a massive new prison near Market Harborough takes place today.

It has been organised by the Ministry Of Justice at Foxton Village Hall between 3pm and 8pm, where officials will be on-hand to answer questions.

The proposal for the 1700-inmate jail was put on hold last month, so the MoJ could engage more with local people and try to address concerns they have.

The prison would be built on land adjacent to the existing HMP Gartree.

Villagers in Foxton and Lubenham are among those who are objecting to the plan, over concerns including increased traffic and the impact on the countryside.

Another of the drop-in events is taking place tomorrow (Friday) at the District Council’s Symington Building in Market Harborough between 3pm and 8pm.

Next Thursday, March 17th, there is one at Lubenham Village Hall between the same times.

A separate plan to expand the current Gartree Prison is also on-hold.

How the new prison would look