Government asked to reconsider controversial Gartree 'super prison' decision

The new Labour Government has been called on to rethink the Gartree 'super-prison' plan passed by its predecessors. The proposed 1,700-inmate prison, Gartree Two, which will sit next to the existing HMP Gartree when built, was met with fierce criticism and condemnation from local residents and parish councils from the off.

Objectors did not want to see increased traffic on the area's roads, as well as worrying about the impact on local wildlife. They won their first victory in April 2022 when Harborough District councillors agreed with their concerns and rejected the scheme, throwing the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) plans into disarray.

Their rejection appeared justified after the MoJ appealed the refusal to grant the project permission and the planning inspector overseeing the dispute ruled in the council's favour. However, the then Conservative Government decided to take the decision itself and went against the inspector's advice, granting approval for the outline scheme.

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Now, with a new Labour Government in office, Conservative MP Neil O'Brien and Liberal Democrat leader of Harborough District Council Phil Knowles have both written to the country's new leaders asking them to rethink the Gartree Two decision.

Writing to Planning Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, Neil O'Brien, said no work had actually started on site as yet and suggested there was still chance to avoid "getting locked into a location which everyone will come to regret for years to come."

In his letter, he said: "The prison was rejected by the local council and by the planning inspector. I am not at all against the building of new prisons. But this is a poor choice of site. You still have ample time to rethink this and to put this prison on a more suitable site, which will work better for both prisoners and the wider community.”

Coun Knowles addressed his letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He urged him to call in the decision, asking if the newly elected PM believed the site is value for money, a logical location and if he thought the infrastructure could cope with the additional demand on it.

Neil O'Brien's letter in full

"At present no work has been started on the site of the new proposed jail, so there is still time to avoid getting locked into a location which everyone will come to regret for years to come. Nothing has yet been built or prepared on site.

"The proposed new prison at Gartree is a national institution and could be put in any location in England. The Ministry of Justice’s own analysis stresses the importance for rehabilitation of prisoners receiving visits. But this proposed site would make that impossible for many, as it has almost no public transport access, so any visitors that did try to come would face a lengthy walk down a country road with no pavement.

"The Treasury’s own principles for investment in the Green Book emphasise the importance of thinking about the benefits to the wider area when the Government chooses the location for a large investment. The Government’s own methodology suggests the economic and social benefits from the creation of new jobs would be far larger if they are created in areas where employment is lower and the need for investment is higher.

"But this proposed site would see the investment and jobs placed in an expensive area with very high employment rates. The new prison could be placed on any brownfield site in the country – but this proposed site is a greenfield site on an expensive plot of land.

"The prison was rejected by the local council and by the planning inspector. I am not at all against the building of new prisons. But this is a poor choice of site. You still have ample time to rethink this and to put this prison on a more suitable site, which will work better for both prisoners and the wider community.”

Coun Knowles' letter in full

"Best wishes on your appointment, I'm sure that you are confronted by a full in tray. I wish to ask you to intervene on a matter that impacts greatly on a considerable number of members of our community.

"Whilst we understand the figures and comments on prison places, I would contest that any new prison must be built in the right places. Here in Harborough District, we already have Gartree Prison. The MoJ decided to apply for Gartree Two, a huge new prison to sit alongside the current facility.

"The planning committee of this authority refused the planning application. The matter then being taken to an inspector. The planning inspector sat here in Harborough for many days. Listening to submissions, acknowledging petitions and more. At the end of this process the inspector supported the decision of the council agreeing that planning permission should not be granted.

"The Secretary of State then gave consideration to the decision. I invited those holding that post to visit to see the site and area before making any determination. All ignored the invitation.

"Eventually and acknowledging the decision of the planning committee to refuse and the planning inspector indicating agreement with that refusal Mr Gove gave the permission to proceed.

"Prime Minister, I urge you to call in this decision. To ask the questions: Is it value for money? Is it logical to have it situated in Gartree? Can the infrastructure cope? Is it the catalyst if left unchallenged that will impact in a hugely negative way on the community? I respectfully suggest this decision needs to be revisited and every aspect reconsidered.

"I'm happy to meet ministers who may wish to visit the site and am happy to assist in any way."