12 May 2014
Waveney MP Peter Aldous recently attended a meeting at Blundeston Village Hall, organised by Blundeston Parish Council, to seek the views of the local residents on the future use(s) of the prison site.
The issues that were raised are being fed back to Waveney District Council who will take them into account in providing their input to the Planning Information Document which is being prepared by the Ministry of Justice’s agents, Jones Lang LaSalle to accompany their marketing particulars.
In a letter to Jeremy Wright MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Prison & Rehabilitation), Mr. Aldous has advised the Minister of the issues raised at the meeting and residents’ views as to how the sale should be conducted to achieve the best possible outcome for the local community. He highlighted the following issues:-
- The importance of all property belonging to the Ministry of Justice being identified with the most appropriate means of disposal being established for each parcel. There is other property in the vicinity of the prison which needs to be considered.
- A flexible approach should be adopted to the marketing campaign, which is now due to start in September with the property being sold either as a whole or in lots. If necessary the Ministry of Justice should be prepared to carry out a master planning role servicing sites and carrying out enabling demolition work.
- The local community should be kept fully informed of the progress of the marketing campaign and to help achieve this objective Waveney District Council will be hosting a page on their website.
Peter concluded by stating that the closure of HMP Blundeston came as a major blow to those who worked there and the local community, though the sale now “presents an opportunity to leave a positive lasting legacy for....the area....It is important that this is not squandered and the local community would very much welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the Ministry of Justice to achieve the best possible outcome.”
