HMP Gartree: Application reveals details of controversial prison

The Ministry of Justice said the prison would provide a jobs boost locally

A controversial new Leicestershire prison will be "considerate to neighbours", documents have said.

The 1,700-capacity jail, next to HMP Gartree, was given the go-ahead in November, despite being turned down by Harborough District Council.

New planning documents show it will comprise 14 buildings, including seven four-storey house blocks.

The application said some care had gone into its "integration" into the local environment and residents' privacy.

Plans for the new prison were met with fierce local resistance and an outline plan for the scheme, seeking permission for it in principle, was unanimously rejected by Harborough District Council's planning committee in April 2022.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) appealed and, after a series of delays, approval was given by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove.

The Gartree Action Group said the decision was "a sad day for Gartree, a sad day for south Leicestershire and a sad day for local democracy".

The latest application, says the Local Democracy Reporting Service, gives more details on the design but as the principle of the scheme has already been approved on the site, councillors will not be able to oppose the application on the grounds of location.

'Welcoming experience'

As well as the main house blocks, there would be two workshops, a separate building called the Care and Separation Unit (CASU) and smaller house block with accommodation and support for "vulnerable or violent prisoners", the MoJ said.

Vehicle access to the site would be via a single entrance off Welland Avenue, a residential street, leading to a 530-space car park.

The MoJ also said it intended to create a "woodland belt" at the southern and eastern edges of the site to help screen the new prison.

In the application, the MoJ said: "Careful consideration has been paid to the privacy of surrounding residents as well as the integration and improvement of the local environment.

"These proposals represent a modern prison development, which has been designed to be more rehabilitative to prisoners with practical activities to foster new skills.

"The working environment for staff is important, along with creating a more welcoming experience to visitors, whilst being considerate to the neighbours and the wider surrounding area."