Gove reconsiders super-prison plan despite inspector’s opposition

A 74,500 square metre prison build in Lancashire could still get the go-ahead despite being turned down for planning permission.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) put forward the plan for the major prison in Ulnes Walton, Chorley, in 2021, but although it was recommended for approval by planning officers, it was rejected by the local council’s planning committee in December of that year.

Chorley Council’s planning committee argued the prison would “encroach” on the open countryside, put pressure on the area’s transport infrastructure, and could be too noisy for the surrounding residential areas.

In particular, it argued that traffic in and out of the prison would make nearby roads less safe.

The MoJ, whose plan is for the prison to accommodate 1,715 inmates across seven blocks, appealed against the planning decision last year.

A letter to the department from junior minister Lee Rowley on behalf of levelling up secretary Michael Gove has now granted the MoJ more time to “provide further evidence” on the impact the prison will have on the safety of nearby highways.

That is despite a recommendation by an independent planning inspector to deny the MoJ’s request, which was revealed in the same document.

The MoJ has until 2 March to gather more evidence on the impact on the nearby roads, which Gove will then consider.

Rowley said that Gove accepted there would be an “increased risk of vehicle and pedestrian conflicts” at the junction linked to the prison, and that the plan would “exacerbate existing hazards and risks within the local road network” which have not been mitigated.

But he said those conclusions were based mainly on a “lack of evidence” about modelling, the detailed proposals, the timescales and costs.

Rowley also noted that there is a lack of alternative sites for a major prison in the area.

However, he did acknowledge Gove’s view that the plan would have a “significant harmful effect” on the green belt, which equates to “substantial weight” against the proposal.

The plan is to build the new prison adjacent to two other smaller jails, HMP Garth and HMP Wymott. After the evidence is provided, Gove will have until 19 April this year to make a decision on the plan.

The land is currently used partly as space for a boiler house, which would be demolished and moved elsewhere on the same site. Construction work onsite would include building a car park and secure perimeter-fence.

The new-build will be delivered in four phases, with initial phases involving work-enabling works, demolition work and relocation of the boiler house and fencing. The final phase will be the construction of the prison, which will be carried out as part of the government’s £4bn New Prisons Programme.

Kier, Wates, Laing O’Rourke and ISGformed an alliance to deliver significant work within this scheme. Modern methods of construction will be used and the contractor will be obliged to commit to 25 per cent of local spend within 25 miles of the site.

A spokesperson for the MoJ said: “The new prison in Chorley is critical to delivering the 20,000 extra places we need to protect the public by keeping offenders off the streets and turning them away from crime.

“We note that DLUHC is minded to agree with our case and we will submit further evidence in the coming weeks.”

At the time of publication, Chorley Borough Council had not responded to requests for comment.