Prisoner rehab house near school rejected again

Highfield House has been derelict for years

Government plans to house offenders near a school have been rejected for a second time.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) lost its appeal against a decision to block the conversion of the 16-bedroom Highfield House in Consett, County Durham, as part of its “prisoner reform” programme.

The scheme was initially refused as the building is located less than 60 metres from the specialist Delta Independent School and a scout hut.

A government spokesperson said the MoJ is now considering its next steps.

The department submitted plans in 2022 to turn the derelict building into housing for offenders who are at or nearing the end of a custodial sentence and are being released on license.

The accommodation, which would have a permanent staff presence, would be used to help aid the rehabilitation of offenders, according to the MoJ.

'Fear of crime'

Durham County Council rejected the government’s proposal in January 2023, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It said the facility would “bring a significant fear of crime in relation to the presence of a specialist educational establishment that serves ‘the most vulnerable young people'".

The government appealed, but has again been knocked back by Inspector David English who, on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate, found the facility would have an adverse effect on the safeguarding of pupils attending the nearby school.

Paul Hillary, the principal of Delta Independent School, said: "As I read through the paperwork submitted my shock grew worse seeing how much access offenders would have to the community directly opposite to the school.

"Don't get me wrong, I fully support the need for this type of accommodation.

"However facilitating one directly opposite an alternative provision school where around 50 vulnerable young people attend daily; not only could I not get my head around the rationale, but I was fearful for the safety of our students."

The 1st Consett Scout Group, which have its HQ 50 metres from the boundary of Highfield House, previously expressed worries about the wellbeing of children.

An MoJ spokesperson said: “We are considering our next steps and no decisions have been made.”