Prison scheme for homes approved

FOR decades it wasn’t exactly a ‘des res’ - but renewed plans to turn Shepton Mallet prison into luxury accommodation have been approved.

The Grade II-listed prison, which has been closed for nearly eight years, has sat abandoned since 2013 but was subject to approved plans to convert the buildings into accommodation and community spaces in 2016.

These plans were never put into action and the permission expired in 2019, but under re-submission they have now been re-approved by Mendip District Council.

The plans outline proposals to turn the various buildings that once made up the prison into a total of 146 residential units of different sizes, as well as new community and heritage spaces and a cafe.

But some parts of the buildings which are not heritage listed are intended to be demolished as part of the overhaul.

The design and access statement for the plans says that the abandoned prison “makes a significant contribution to the town’s sense of place” and the changes will firm part of the “regeneration” of the town.

The statement says: “The proposals are reasoned to provide a catalyst to combat deterioration of the existing buildings and secure a positive future for the heritage assets within the site.

“The site presents a very viable opportunity for sustainable town-centre living and indeed a contribution to the regeneration of the town itself.”

Before its closure in 2013 the Somerset lock-up was the oldest operating prison in the country and held almost 200 high-risk prisoners at its peak.

The prison saw plenty of history during its centuries of operation, notably housing notorious crime brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the 1950s.

The twins were held for a month in the military jail while awaiting court-martial for desertion of their regiment after just a few minutes, as well as assaulting a corporal who tried to stop them leaving.

More recently, the location has been used for overnight stays in its cells for customers, as well as being used as a location to film scenes for ITV drama Des.

The drama, starring David Tennant as the eponymous criminal, told the story of famed serial killer Dennis Nielsen who was convicted of six counts of murder and two of attempted murder in 1983.

The historic prison, which closed in 2013, has also been the setting of other films and TV series, including Paddington 2,

Casualty and Top Boy.