ANY potential plans to build a 'super prison' on Omega have been given a resounding no.
Council leader Clr Terry O'Neill spoke out today after rumours circulated at the weekend the business park could once again be seen as a possible site for a 2,000 capacity prison.
But Clr O’Neill (LAB - Burtonwood and Winwick) said developers behind Omega had not even been approached as a possible site.
He added: “Any potential investment in the Omega site that does not contribute to our ambitious business growth plans would serve only to stifle this development and any future investment opportunities, particularly for Omega South.
”On that basis, we would not support any proposal for a prison at Omega if this were to be raised.”
The Government announced on Thursday plans to build the new huge prison.
But developers say they will not put Omega forward as a possible site.
Andrew Sutherland, joint managing director of Miller Developments, a partner of Omega Warrington Ltd, said: “Our aims and ambitions are far reaching when it comes to Omega and we have no intention of putting Omega forward as an option site to the Ministry of Justice.
“The major announcement made only last month about Brakes, the first occupier deal signed for the Omega site, has acted as a catalyst for this project and this is an exciting time for economic development and business growth. Having reached this key milestone, the Omega project is now firmly underway and we are all committed to building on its success and making the project become a sustainable reality.”
Warrington South MP David Mowat also hit out at the rumours.
He said: “This proposal should be an absolute non-starter.
“Labour wanted to put 2,500 hardened criminals a matter of metres from a large residential area, saying it would bring ‘an economic benefit’. It was only because Conservatives and Liberal Democrats worked together with local residents that they were forced to back down.
“It was wrong then and it is wrong now. That site has been specifically earmarked to create jobs for Warrington."
Other companies to move onto the Omega site include Asda.
