£400m Glasgow prison to replace Barlinnie given planning green light
The latest plans for a new £400m prison to replace HMP Barlinnie have been given the green light by council officials.
The new HMP Glasgow will be built on the site of the former Provan Gas Works in east end[1] of the city.
It will sit between the neighbourhoods of Royston and Blackhill and beyond the M80 motorway on the site that has been vacant since the 1980s when there was a downsizing of the gas works requirements.
Five four-storey X-shaped residential houses block buildings will be within the centre of the site and will also feature gardens for inmates.
Plans approved by Glasgow City Council[4] state provision must be made for 52 bays to park bikes in.
Each house block wing will have a dedicated exercise garden, as well as outdoor sports facilities, walking routes and horticultural areas.
HMP Glasgow will sit between the neighbourhoods of Royston and Blackhill and beyond the M80 motorway on the site that has been vacant since the 1980s. (Image: Scottish Prison Service)
A number of security measures will be built in including specific anti-climb walling, eaves details, pitched roofs and CCTV security.
Prison blocks will include heat pumps and solar panels to provide eco-friendly heating and cooling.
Plans to include nesting boxes for endangered swifts in the prison walls following a plea by the RSPB were knocked back but may still be included at a future stage.
Costs for the new prison have been criticised after it emerged the final bill will be millions more than the original £170m budget with costs feared to be as high as £400m.
Michael Stoney, governor of HMP Barlinnie[5], leading on HMP Glasgow, said: "We have consulted with partners and set out a bold vision for a new HMP Glasgow, which will provide the maximum possible benefit to those who live and work there, and our surrounding communities.
A number of security measures will be built in to HMP Glasgow including specific anti-climb walling, eaves details, pitched roofs and CCTV security. (Image: Scottish Prison Service)
"Through a better quality of living environment, and strong relationships with staff, we are determined to help those in our care comprehend and understand how they can move forward and set themselves on the road to a better future.
"HMP Glasgow[6] will be a strong and supportive partner, both locally and to the wider Scottish justice system, delivering a social value that benefits the wellbeing of our wider communities."
Confirming the planning bid had been successful, the council said: "The proposal was considered to be in accordance with the development plan and there were no material considerations which outweighed the proposal's accordance with the development plan."
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References
- ^ east end (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow residents 'abandoned' as Easterhouse housing estate left 'unfinished' by home builders (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow paramedic struck off for swearing at patient and threatening to 'break her arm' (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow City Council (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ HMP Barlinnie (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
- ^ Glasgow Live's Whatsapp Community here (chat.whatsapp.com)