GovWire

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is seeking the views of residents and businesses on plans for a potential new prison in Buckinghamshire.

In line with the governments commitment to create four new prisons by the mid-2020s, the Ministry of Justice has been looking at potential new prison sites where we have space readily available to develop and in locations where forecasted future demand for places will be the greatest.

The MoJ believes that land adjacent to the current HMP Grendon/Springhill (and owned by the MoJ) may be an appropriate location for one of these new prisons.

No final decision has been taken on whether to formally progress these proposals and no planning application has yet been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council. This exercise is an opportunity for the MoJ to hear views and receive feedback from local residents, business and public services before any formal decisions are taken.

Should we progress with our plans in Buckinghamshire, we want a new prison to have a positive impact to the local area and economy and we are confident we would achieve this aim. Based on our success at HMP Five Wells at Wellingborough, we anticipate a new prison here will create hundreds of jobs for the local community as well as supporting local businesses.

If plans were to go ahead, once operational the prison is likely to create around 500-600 permanent jobs for the local community.

Through the construction of the new prison, we will create opportunities for people to be trained in construction skills and opportunities for businesses - helping boost the local economy.