Local Opposition to Super Prison

Illustration of plans for prison in Ulnes Walton

I am both astonished and deeply disappointed by the government’s decision to approve the construction of a new super prison on the Leyland-Chorley border. This decision has been made despite the project being rejected twice by Chorley Council and the planning inspector due to serious highway safety concerns. Overruling these decisions, I believe, disregards the legitimate concerns raised by local authorities and statutory bodies.

I have long voiced my genuine concerns about the safety and infrastructure of the area, and I stand firmly by those views. During a visit to one of the existing prisons in the area, I witnessed firsthand that the facilities are already inadequate and unsafe. It seems illogical to proceed with plans for a new prison, expected to accommodate around 1,700 inmates, while the current infrastructure for the existing Garth and Wymott prisons is not up to standard.

The proposed super prison will be built on Greenbelt land, an additional issue that raises significant questions about the suitability and long-term impacts of this development.

I intend to meet with the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to discuss these pressing concerns and seek assurances that, if the prison is built, the government will prioritise implementing the necessary infrastructure improvements to address these serious shortcomings.

I remain committed to ensuring the safety, integrity, and wellbeing of our local communities.