Harborough District Council leader writes letter to Deputy Prime Minister about new prison
The leader of Harborough District Council has written to the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary MP David Lammy to express his dismay at not receiving an invitation to attend an event to mark the start of construction of a new prison next to HMP Gartree.
At the event on November 8, the Deputy Prime Minster also named the new prison HMP Welland Oaks.
Harborough District Council’s Planning Committee unanimously rejected plans for the prison in 2022 - but that was overturned by the then Secretary of State Michael Gove.
In his letter, Cllr Phil Knowles said: “I am absolutely dismayed that during your visit to ‘Gartree 2 The Sequel’ members of Harborough District Council and myself as leader along with the community were omitted from the list invitations.
“Regrettably, this continues a theme. Harborough District Council planning committee refused this application; I campaigned again this prison with considerable public support for my campaign. The Planning Inspectorate recommended refusal of the appeal by Ministry of Justice and yet the then Secretary of State Mr Gove decided to ignore everyone and to give the go ahead.
“This is not a case of nimbyism, we have lived alongside the current Gartree prison for many years but the decision of Mr Gove to override the planning committee, local views, and the Planning Inspectorate still in my view beggars belief.
“I can only imagine, although I am quite prepared to accept, I am wrong, that the decision not to extend the invitation to me, as leader of Harborough District Council, was to ensure that none of this information could be put directly to you. I trust that this written communication will at least set the record straight."
Cllr Knowles went on to criticise the name of the new prison - and put forward his 'cheeky' suggestion once again.
He added: “I have noted the name that has been attributed to this prison. A name that I personally find unacceptable, and I would suggest that it would have been far more relevant if the prison has to go ahead that it was ‘celebrated’ with the name of ‘The Gove‘ which would be more applicable.
“I fully accept and understand that the prison provision is in desperate need of review and consideration, however, I still maintain that this new prison is in the wrong place and long term it will bring considerable difficulties of access and more.”
After reading the letter from Cllr Knowles, Cllr Simon Whelband, leader of the Conservatives at HDC, asked the council leader to write again to Mr Lammy to seek urgent assurances about community safety and the management of the prisons estate.
“Residents are rightly alarmed,” he said.
“Here in Harborough, drones have already been used at the existing Gartree site to smuggle drugs into the prison.
“The community deserves clear reassurances and accountability, not excuses.”
He added: “I’m pleased the council leader has agreed to take up my call and write again to Mr Lammy. But what matters now is that we get straight answers, not soundbites, and firm guarantees that our residents will be kept safe.”