By Planning permission for the facility to house 1400 inmates has been approved at a planning meeting in Beverley today.
When completed in 2024, the enlarged prison will have space for 1,440 Category C prisoners.
The new facility is part of government plans to provide an additional 10,000 modern and efficient prison places nationally. It will be built alongside the existing high-security prison in the village.
It has been argued that hundreds of jobs will be created, both during construction and when the prison opens. However, this boost to the local economy hasn’t persuaded many local residents.
Over 2,500 objections were registered with the council ahead of planning permission being granted. These objections came from local residents and 16 neighbouring town and parish councils. Humberside Police also lodged an objection, claiming that the new prison would result in a drain on their resources, as well as causing a rise in crime in the immediate area.
There were protests outside County Hall in Beverley, where today’s planning meeting took place. Immediately after the vote, one angry protestor is reported to have thrown a bundle of papers at councillors.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s planning committee approved the plans by a majority vote of 8 to 4.
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