Super-jail for 1,000 prisoners approved

CONTROVERSIAL PLANS to build a new £91m super-size prison near York have been approved despite opposition.

The jail for 1,000 men will be built next to HMP Full Sutton, one of four new developments announced by Justice Secretary Liz Truss as part of plans to reform the crisis-hit jail system.

An outline planning application for the Category C jail was approved by East Riding councillors.

Pocklington Provincial councillor and Full Sutton resident Andy Strangeway said he could not see any reason for refusal.

However he said there were still question marks over the plans, which will have to come back to the committee for final sign-off.

He added: “I believe there are going to be a lot of conditions attached to the application and I believe there needs to be.”

It could spell good news for the local economy, with plans to directly employ more than 500 staff.

Another 115 jobs could be created indirectly through the jail purchasing goods and services.

But other locals have cited concerns over a lack of infrastructure, transport networks and harm to the area. Speaking last week, resident Rupert Towers said: “We’re a village that doesn’t even have a shop. We’ve got two buses a day. It’s just not feasible. It would completely destroy it.”