Could Omega get super prison?

Reports circulated in today's Liverpool Daily Post say that the Omega business site is being lined up to house a giant prison.

But Warrington Borough Council says it would have "major concerns" about any plan.

The Government want to build three supersized prisons across the country to help tackle overcrowding in jails and have pinpointed the north west as a potential site.

The Ministry of Justice is looking into buying a plot on the 550 acre business park, owned by Miller Properties, adds the article.

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: "In the course of our discussions with English Partnerships, Miller Homes and the NWDA about the development of Omega, it was put to us that Omega was being considered as one possible location for a Titan prison.

"We would have very real concerns about such a proposal and would need to know a lot more.

"As far as Warrington Council is aware, Omega is progressing and there is a lot of interest in the site from a whole range of commercial, industrial and business developers.

"We are working closely with our partners in this scheme to re-evaluate the uses on phase two of Omega in the light of the current economic climate but remain committed to securing the future of the Omega development and ensuring that Warrington is well placed to make the most of this site of regional significance."

Work has yet to start on building on the site next to Junction eight and in July North West Development Agency chief executive Steven Broomhead called on Miller Properties, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the council to come together and reassess the masterplan for the site.

The Burtonwood site would fit into the Ministry of Justice criteria for a ‘Titan’ prison as it is within one hour’s journey time to major courts, close to major roads and has a minimum of 50 acres of land.

Miller Properties said they could not disclose details of discussions about the site and the Prison Service said that it has yet to confirm or buy any sites.