The MP of Buckingham has criticised his own Government’s plans to have another prison built in the county.

Greg Smith, who became the town’s MP in 2019, called the news that the Ministry of Justice 'intend to move forward with a planning application' for a new prison to be built near HMP Grendon and HMP Spring Hill in Grendon Underwood as ‘devastating’.

However, whilst he admitted that he wasn’t happy with the initial decision, Mr Smith has vowed to keep fighting to prevent a third jail from being built in the village.

READ MORE: Buckingham MP objects to new Grendon Underwood prison

In a Facebook post that was published on June 22, Mr Smith said: “I have been informed that the Ministry of Justice intend to move forward with a planning application for a new prison adjacent to HMP Grendon and HMP Spring Hill.

“This is devastating news.

What Mr Smith said

“I have had multiple meetings with Ministers setting out the detailed and reasoned case against this construction in the heart of areas already so badly affected by HS2 and East West Rail.

“Likewise, I know how hard local residents, parishes, and Buckinghamshire Councillors have worked to make the case against.

“But it seems the Government's drive for a rapid increase in prison places has overridden those concerns.

“We may have lost the first battle, but the war against this development goes on.

READ MORE: 'Escaped inmates, traffic chaos and drugs' among fears over new prison

“I will now be redoubling my efforts to work with local residents, parishes, and Buckinghamshire Councillors to make the case against this prison on planning grounds, so that the application can be rejected.”

It is not the first that the MP has spoken out about his displeasure for the plans, as in January of this year, Mr Smith penned a letter to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) regarding his objections to a new category C prison, which could come to the village in 2025.

If the plans get the green light, it could hold between 1,400 and nearly 1,700 prisoners.

Speaking six months ago, he said: “I will be working hard now to do everything possible to convince ministers not to proceed with this ill-judged proposal.”