Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 16408

Received: 05/09/2025

Respondent: His Majesty's Prisons and Probation Service

Agent: Cushman & Wakefield LLP

I&O_16989
Background HMPPS is responsible for prisons and probation services across England and Wales. The adult male estate has been operating near full capacity for over 18 months. With limited resilience to manage fluctuations in demand, the Government published a 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy in December 2024, setting out plans to acquire land for new prison development after a decade without acquisitions. HMPPS is now seeking to establish a sustainable pipeline of sites, particularly for Category B and C adult male closed prisons and with a focus on the North West and South East regions due to the regional demand forecasts. Representations Within the North West region, Cheshire West and Chester has been identified as a suitable area for potential prison development due to its locational advantages. Cheshire West and Chester is a strategically important location in this context, benefiting from excellent transport connectivity to Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester, and proximity to several Crown Courts. The area also offers a strong local labour pool to support staffing and wider job creation. New prison sites require at least 45 acres (18 hectares) and they must be accessible to construction traffic. Sites are assessed on the basis of their availability, suitability and deliverability.  HMPPS has identified potential site opportunities in the borough that offer excellent accessibility, relatively few environmental constraints, and strong alignment with local development  objectives. We believe there is scope for constructive engagement with the Council to consider whether any of these sites could be promoted through the emerging Local Plan, either through direct allocation or safeguarding for future criminal justice infrastructure. It is important to note that prison development delivers significant economic and social benefits, including creating between 600 and 700 permanent jobs, hundreds of construction roles over a significant build period, and major investment in local supply chains. New prisons are designed to a very high environmental standard, achieving BREEAM Outstanding, net zero carbon in operation, and exceeding mandatory targets for Biodiversity Net Gain. We respectfully request that the Council considers the inclusion of planning for new strategic criminal justice infrastructure within the emerging Local Plan and engages with HMPPS to explore site opportunities in more detail. We would be pleased to provide further information on site requirements, planning considerations, and the wider economic and social case for prison development in Cheshire West and Chester.