A TOP politician has thrown his weight behind residents who oppose a new prison – arguing the sewage system cannot cope and the number of inmates will ‘swamp’ that of neighbouring villages.
Greg Smith MP has penned to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) his objections to a new category C prison, which could be coming to the village of Grendon Underwood in 2025.
The Buckingham MP said the facility, which could hold between 1,400 and nearly 1,700 prisoners, would be served by an “inadequate network of rural and unclassified roads” that are “already suffering the cumulative impact” of HS2 and East West Rail (EWR).
READ MORE: 'Escaped inmates, traffic chaos and drugs' among fears over new prison
The proposed location is also “prone to flooding” and “totally inappropriate” he said, adding that brownfield sites should be the priority.
PICTURED: An artist's impression of the proposed new prison site
The combined population of Edgcott and Grendon Underwood will be “swamped by the largest prison complex in the UK”, he claimed. Adding the prison population will be more than double that of the villages.
“There are concerns that the local infrastructure without significant investment, and particularly the sewage system, will be unable to cope with the demands generated by the proposed prison,” he said.
Hospitals and police will “not be able to cope” with a prison this size, he also claimed.
He also said “drug and alcohol drops” by visitors would increase as result.
He said the prison is “another act of ecological vandalism being inflicted on a rural area”.
PICTURED: The gates of HMP Grendon and HMP Springhill
“The local roads are not designed for an excessive volume of traffic, particularly heavy construction traffic,” he added.
READ MORE: Tough questions over traffic fears coming from new 1,400-inmate prison
Mr Smith backed Grendon Underwood Parish Council that Bullingdon or the Bicester area would be preferable sites.
“Put bluntly, the last thing we need right now is another major construction project,” said Mr Smith. “Lives have been turned upside down by HS2 and EWR as it is.
“In a word: enough. That is before we get onto the specific arguments about why this site is simply not suitable for such a major development, such as its very poor transport links.
“I will be working hard now to do everything possible to convince ministers not to proceed with this ill-judged proposal.”
If plans go ahead, the new prison could be built on land immediately north of HMP Grendon, a category B prison, and HMP Springhill, a category D or open prison.
Works could begin in 2023, subject to a planning application approved by Buckinghamshire Council.
A consultation closes on January 29.
We’ve launched a new Facebook group for local news junkies, politics fans and everyone who wants to keep up to date with the latest issues affecting Grendon Underwood. Please join the conversation over at Buckinghamshire Politics
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