Work has begun on the controversial new Gartree super-prison. Development firm Wates confirmed this week they have started "early works" on the new prison next to the existing HMP Gartree site.

When built, the new prison, based on Welland Avenue, Gartee, Lubenham, will provide over 1,700 category B prison places. The new build will include two large educational workshops and an educational facility with 26 classrooms to help prisoners develop skills to aid their rehabilitation after release. Throughout the project, 50 prison leavers will be trained and reskilled, to prepare them to reintegrate into the workforce.

The original plan for the huge prison was rejected unanimously by Harborough District Council's (HDC) planning committee in April 2022. However, following an appeal from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in June 2022, the scheme received the go-ahead by the then Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.

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A Government document revealed that Mr Gove had agreed with many of the inspector’s conclusions, but disagreed with her recommendation to throw out the case. Mr Gove said he accepted the evidence put forward by the MoJ which showed “a significant unmet need” for prison places.

Detailed plans for the layout and design of the prison were subsequently approved by HDC in February. Since then, further details have been revealed, including the main prison compound being made up of 14 buildings.

Developers Wates say that they expect that 40 per cent of the build project will be spent within a 50-mile radius of the site in a bid to stimulate the local economy and promote regional growth. The firm said the development will create 100 new jobs during construction, providing employment opportunities locally. Offsite manufacturing will be used to create the main structures for the accommodation, service modules and plant rooms, to improve efficiencies in the construction process and minimise carbon emissions, they added.

Phil Shortman, regional managing director - MoJ, Wates said: "We are pleased to have the green light to deliver this important project, which will make a real difference both to the local economy and to providing the prison places the country needs.

“Through the construction of this project, we are committed to providing valuable employment opportunities to those leaving prison, and once operational this prison will be equipped with excellent educational and training facilities to help prison residents develop the skills they need, to build their careers after release. Wates has established a strong track record of delivering projects at scale and we look forward to continuing to work alongside the Ministry of Justice to provide additional prison places.”

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