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£250m super prison to create 1,000 jobs in north Wales | |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Wales has been chosen as the site of a £250m super prison which the Ministry of Justice says will create 1,000 jobs. | |
Locations in London and north west England, including Cumbria, were also in the running for a jail with room for 2,000 inmates. | Locations in London and north west England, including Cumbria, were also in the running for a jail with room for 2,000 inmates. |
Wrexham council has been campaigning for the jail and has identified two sites on an industrial estate. | |
The announcement is worth £100m in the current spending round. | |
It could be worth £23m a year to the north Wales economy. | |
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'My priority is to provide enough prison places for those sent there by the courts and to do so in a way that gives taxpayers the best possible value for money. | |
"This will be the first prison in north Wales and a massive boost to the Welsh economy." | |
He added: "It will also allow offenders from the region to be held closer to their homes, which we know helps prevent reoffending. | |
Welsh Secretary David Jones, who has been pressing the case in the UK Government cabinet, said it would create jobs and "much needed economic opportunities." | Welsh Secretary David Jones, who has been pressing the case in the UK Government cabinet, said it would create jobs and "much needed economic opportunities." |
"I know that having the prison in north Wales is particularly important for families - especially Welsh speakers and professional advisors, and its significant capacity will go some way to help the current issue of space shortage," he added. | "I know that having the prison in north Wales is particularly important for families - especially Welsh speakers and professional advisors, and its significant capacity will go some way to help the current issue of space shortage," he added. |
Councils, health officials and emergency services in the region have already supported the proposals. | Councils, health officials and emergency services in the region have already supported the proposals. |
North Wales assembly member Aled Roberts said the government had clearly been impressed with the business case for north Wales. | North Wales assembly member Aled Roberts said the government had clearly been impressed with the business case for north Wales. |
"Many across north Wales, including the six local authorities, have worked together on this bid and it shows what can be done when we work as a team," he said. | "Many across north Wales, including the six local authorities, have worked together on this bid and it shows what can be done when we work as a team," he said. |
The Ministry of Justice dropped plans for a prison in Caernarfon in 2009. | The Ministry of Justice dropped plans for a prison in Caernarfon in 2009. |
Two potential sites have been identified at Kingmoor Park and the former Firestone factory site, both on Wrexham Industrial Estate. | Two potential sites have been identified at Kingmoor Park and the former Firestone factory site, both on Wrexham Industrial Estate. |
In May, Flintshire council cabinet members said they favoured the Firestone site, which has also won the support of First Minister Carwyn Jones. | In May, Flintshire council cabinet members said they favoured the Firestone site, which has also won the support of First Minister Carwyn Jones. |
In February, the North Wales Regional Leadership Board - which groups together council leaders and emergency services - said the size of the proposed prison means it must serve north Wales and parts of north west England and the West Midlands. | In February, the North Wales Regional Leadership Board - which groups together council leaders and emergency services - said the size of the proposed prison means it must serve north Wales and parts of north west England and the West Midlands. |