A new prison that could house more than 1,400 inmates could be built in Buckinghamshire, according to new plans by the Ministry of Justice.

If the plans go ahead, the new category C prison could be built on land immediately north of HMP Grendon, a category B prison, and HMP Springhill, a category D or open prison, in the village of Grendon Underwood.

There will be six four-storey houseblocks, with 240 prisoners in each, as well as support buildings including a kitchen, workshops and a central services hub totally 20,000sqm.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is also planning kennels, polytunnels, around 430 car parking spaces, a perimeter fencing and a perimeter road for patrolling.

In the north western corner of the site, which already owned by the MoJ, is an area of woodland that will be kept and “enhanced” as part of the plans.

Ahead of construction on the new prison, the MoJ would have to look at demolishing the existing education block associated with HMP Springhill and a sports pitch, but these would reportedly both be replaced.

If it goes ahead, work could get started in 2023, creating up to 600 permanent jobs, but a planning application will have to be submitted to Buckinghamshire Council first.

The new prison could be open in 2025, but no decision has been taken yet on whether it will be operated privately or publicly.

The MoJ said: “The new prisons we are designing will be safe, secure and decent where offenders will be able to turn their lives around.

“We also believe that a new prison in this location will have compelling long-term benefits for the local community.

“Based on our new prison in Wellingborough, we anticipate this new prison in Buckinghamshire will create hundreds of jobs for local communities both in the immediate local area but also more widely for people living in Bicester, Aylesbury and Buckingham.

“We believe that alongside creating at least 100 new jobs and providing opportunities for apprenticeships during the construction phase, there is the potential for between 500 and 600 new permanent jobs at the new prison once it is operational.”

The new prison is one of four planned by the government.

Lucy Frazer QC, the minister of state for prisons and probation, said: “Prisoner numbers fluctuate, which is why we must have robust plans in place to ensure we always have enough places for those sentenced to custody.

“We closely monitor prison population forecasts and are continually looking at ways we can improve our prison estate.

“We are acutely aware of the likely increase in demand for places as court activity continues to ramp up to full operating capacity following national restrictions, and from the increasing numbers of police in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to recruit 20,000 additional officers.

“We believe that creating 18,000 additional prisoner places will, over the long-term, help to mitigate this.”

You can comment on the MoJ’s plans until December 24 – go to consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/potential-new-prison-in-buckinghamshire/ to comment.