New Prison at Grendon

Project overview 

A planning application for a new prison in Buckinghamshire had initially been refused, then on appeal, was referred for determination by the Secretary of State.  

The proposed prison would accommodate 1,468 prisoners in 12 new buildings.  

Pegasus Group undertook an Economic Impact Assessment of the scheme and acted as an Expert Witness on socio-economics for the appeal process. 

This project combined both Pegasus’ economics and environment expertise. Our Environment team undertook strategic landscape design and assessment, as well as acting as Expert Witness, dealing with landscape and visual matters at the appeal.  

The challenge 

While the nation critically needs new prison space, communities naturally have sensitivities around their location, and local residents strongly opposed this project. 

Criticism of the application included concern that few of the jobs created either during construction or once the prison is in operation would be taken by local people.  

As part of the appeal, it was important to show the social and economic benefits for the local community.  

The solution 

Pegasus’s Economics team drew on examples from other prison projects to demonstrate what had been achieved with local employment targets by the Ministry of Justice during the build phase.  

The team also undertook analysis of the employment profiles of other prisons to determine what the proportion of local jobs would be and was able to show that it would be significant.  

It was concluded that the project would deliver significant economic benefits, creating an estimated 550 on-site jobs, of which local residents would fill up to 313. 

This evidence added credibility to the socio-economic case for the prison and the planning appeal was ultimately successful. 

James Smith, Deputy Director of HMPPS commented; “Pegasus Group provided robust economic and environmental evidence in support of the appeal process for the New Prison at Grendon. Their team demonstrated a strong understanding of the issues and worked collaboratively throughout what was a complex and lengthy process. The appeal was ultimately successful, helping to secure planning permission for a project that will provide much-needed prison capacity and deliver significant economic benefits to the local area.”

 

If you’d like to discuss how Pegasus can support your development, get in touch.

Image credit: MoJ/A4NP Alliance. Rendered images of Millsike Prison (representative of Grendon Prison).