‘Full Steam Ahead’ On Prison Development

As Wrexham.com readers will know from our live tweeting on last night’s Planning Committee, the prison plans have had their i’s dotted and t’s crossed.

Following the decision last night by Wrexham Council’s Planning Committee the Leader of Wrexham Council has today said how delighted he is that issues raised have been ironed out and the way is clear to enable the North Wales Prison project to move forward.

He is looking forward to everyone uniting behind the £212million construction project that will see the creation of hundreds of jobs and an annual income pumped into the local economy of £23million. Cllr Pritchard thanked everyone who had been involved in bringing the project this far, including the Ministry of Justice and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and officers at Wrexham County Borough Council.

A delighted Councillor Pritchard said: “The decision by last night’s planning committee to grant permission on the ‘reserved matters’ means that the project can go full steam ahead. The Planning Committee members were happy with the revised information that had been put forward.

“This is fantastic news for North Wales with the benefits being huge in terms of how it will change the face of our economy for many years to come. We look forward to working in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and contractors Lend Lease, to bring the project to fruition by 2017. They have our whole-hearted support.”

Lead Member for Economic Regeneration, Cllr Neil Rogers said: “We cannot underestimate what benefits the new prison will bring to our County and the knock on effects it will have on businesses throughout North Wales.

“We have already seen massive interest from businesses throughout the area via our supplier engagement events and we believe these benefits will be worth around a fifth of the total contract value, some £30million spent on local businesses.

“There will be around 100 apprenticeships, recruited locally where possible and around 500 days of work placement schemes increasing each year during construction. Everyone involved in this project is to be congratulated on the hard work that has gone into this.”

Responding to the announcement that Wrexham Council has given final approval for the scheme, Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said:

“North Wales has long needed its own prison and this final approval is very welcome.

“This development, through its construction, running and maintenance, will bring a huge number of jobs to Wrexham and the surrounding region and give a great economic boost to north Wales’ economy.

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous said: “I welcome this final approval. Preparatory work has already started on site ahead of schedule and main construction will begin shortly.”

“We remain in no doubt that the prison will be a huge benefit to the region. Once operational it is estimated that the prison will create about 1,000 jobs and boost the local economy by about £23million per year.”