A prison wants to build new cells in Buckinghamshire due to a ‘significant increase’ in demand.  

HMP Springhill revealed its planning application for 41 accommodation units and ancillary facilities at its site outside the village of Grendon Underwood, Aylesbury.

The need for a replacement facility is “pressing” because of loss of an existing prison accommodation block and a significant rise in demand for prison places, the planning application said.

HMP Springhill is an open category D prison for men inmates only – meaning the prison has minimal security allowing eligible prisoners to spend most of their time away from the prison on licence.

The planning application comes only months after a damning report of the living conditions at HMP Springhill released last year. 

A report by Inspector of Prisons found the jail was "unfit for purpose", including holes in the walls, erratic plumbing and unopenable windows. 

If approved, the plans will see the demolition of an existing accommodation block with new individual single cell modular units across two floors equipped with a single bed, a window, drinks making facilities, a WC and a shower.

The ancillary facilities will provide space for cooking and food prep, storage and a communal dining and living space.

The ground floor units will include fully wheelchair accessible units.

The “robust, secure and hardwearing” design of the units has already been at the Ministry of Justice’s HMP Norwich, the planning report noted.

“Access to and use of the site is under the control of HMP Springhill and whilst this is an open prison, it is still subject to restricted and controlled access and prison staff supervised use of the cellular units,” the report said.