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<p>The planning applications for new prisons next to HMPs Garth, Gartree and Grendon
have been refused by the respective planning authorities. We have decided to appeal
all of those planning refusals. As part of the evidence to those appeal inquiries,
details of the site searches undertaken will be made publicly available.</p><p>The
list of sites that were considered for the prison next to HMP Garth have been made
available as part of that inquiry and can be found at: <a href="https://chorley.gov.uk/article/2612/Planning-appeals-HM-Prison-Wymott"
target="_blank">https://chorley.gov.uk/article/2612/Planning-appeals-HM-Prison-Wymott</a>
(document E1).</p><p>The proof of evidence in support of the new prison including
the list of alternative sites considered at Gartree will be available after 6 September.
The inquiry will run between 4 and 10 October 2022. The proof of evidence in support
of the new prison at Grendon will be available in accordance with a timetable set
by the planning inspector.</p><p>No decision has been made to change the number of
new category C prisons from three to two.</p><p>The Deputy Prime Minister announced
on 4 March this year that three of the four prisons will be run by the private sector
and one will be run by the public sector. Planning permission has been granted for
a category C prison at Full Sutton and construction of that prison is expected to
commence in the summer. The MoJ has submitted planning applications for new category
C prisons next to HMP Grendon Springhill and HMP Garth/Wymott in order to meet the
forecast regional demand. A planning application has been submitted for a category
B training prison next to the existing category B prison at Gartree in order to meet
the forecast national need for category B places. The new prisons HMP Five Wells and
HMP Fosse way will meet the regional demand for category C prisons in the Midlands.</p><p>As
outlined above, planning for the new prison on land to the south of HMP Gartree is
subject to an appeal process which is currently ongoing. The cost of the new prison
can therefore only be finalised if planning permission is secured following the appeal
process. If planning permission is granted an announcement will be made on the contract
value and contractor who will take the project forward.</p>
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