Govt to appeal refusal of 1,700-inmate Chorley prison
The local council rejected plans for a 575,000 sq ft super-prison last December, but the Ministry of Justice has confirmed it will attempt to have that decision overturned.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Our proposals would benefit the area by creating hundreds of new jobs locally.
“We have carefully considered the council’s decision and have decided to appeal. We will continue to work closely with them and the community throughout this process.”
The scheme, plans for which were lodged last September, was recommended for approval by Chorley Council planning officers. However, the council’s planning committee voted to refuse the application due to the impact it would have on the Green Belt and traffic.
The decision notice handed down concluded that “the proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area, nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development.”
If approved at appeal, the category C facility could house up to 1,700 inmates and forms part of the government’s £4bn New Prisons programme.
The prison would be located on 106 acres between two existing facilities south-west of Leyland; HMP Garth, an 850-capacity category B prison and HMP Wymott, a category C prison with space for 1,200 inmates.
Comprising seven four-storey blocks, each capable of housing 245 prisoners, the project would also include kitchens, workshops, and kennels for prison dogs.
A 525-space car park and a 1,326-metre perimeter fence also feature within the proposals.
In addition, the boiler house that services the existing two prisons would be relocated, as would Wymott Bowling Club.
The Chorley prison is one of four new facilities to be constructed under the government’s New Prisons programme.
By the middle of this decade, around 18,000 additional prison places are to be created, both through the construction of the new facilities and the upgrade and expansion of existing ones.
Contractors Wates, Laing O’Rourke, ISG and Keir have been appointed to deliver the new prisons.
