Ulnes Walton ‘super prison’ approved as government overturns Chorley Council decision

The government has overturned a decision to refuse a planning application for a third prison to be built in Ulnes Walton.

The third prison – housing as many as 1,700 inmates – will be built near HMP Garth and HMP Leyland despite objections from residents and against a planning officer’s recommendation it should be refused.

Chorley Borough Council first rejected plans for the so-called super-prison in 2021, amid various concerns including over traffic issues and the proximity to a school. The decision was appealed by the Ministry of Justice, sparking a public inquiry which would normally see the Planning Inspectorate have the final decision.

The planning inspector overseeing that inquiry concluded in the favour of the local council and campaigners from the Ulnes Walton Action Group, concluding that the appeal should be dismissed and the planning application be refused. However, Michael Gove had alread stepped in to “recover” the final decision, meaning the Government would have the final say.

Since then, a change of Government has taken place but the decision has remained in the hands of the now-renamed Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In a quietly announced decision, Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook yesterday overturned the refusal and granted approval to the outline planning application on behalf of Angela Rayner.

That means the plans can move forward to a reserved matters application which will be even more difficult to refuse. Explaining the decision, a letter from Mr Pennycook explained that Ms Rayner largely agreed with the planning inspector’s findings, but ultimately decided that need for the prison outweighed the harm it will cause.

Within the decision letter, it is argued that newly proposed measure could mitigate the previously unsolved issues of cars speeding in the area, increased traffic and queuing, and the increased risk of pedestrians being struck by vehicles. However, these still need to be clarified and finalised at the design stage.

Explaining the perceived benefits of the plan, the letter states: “Weighing in favour of the development is the need for the development which attracts significant weight, the benefits associated with a modern prison which attracts significant weight, the economic benefits which attract significant weight, the replacement bowling green which attracts significant weight, upgrades to Pump House Lane which attract moderate weight, and the environmental benefits which attract moderate weight.”

The decision can be appealed again, in which case the matter would be taken to the High Court.

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