Jonathan Djanogly, the Member of Parliament for the Huntingdon Constituency has commented on the ongoing rumours concerning the possible building of a new prison next to Littlehey Prison in Perry.
Some two weeks ago, Mr Djanogly received an announcement, posted on the internet by a building company, referring to a new Category B prison next to the existing Category C Littlehey Prison. The new prison would have 480 places.
Mr Djanogly said:
Despite writing to the government of the prison and the Home Secretary, I have still not received any indication from the Home Office that these plans are official, although I have now heard from the District Council that the proposals are real but have not yet started the required planning permission process.
I am currently arranging a meeting with the Prison Service to identify what is "exactly" being planned here and I have already written to the Home Secretary complaining at the lack of consultation.
Littlehey has traditionally had good relations with the local community and I am concerned that this should continue.
This is a sensitive matter on which a constituent in the local parish will have much to say and early consultation should have been foremost in the government's mind."