HMP Parc prison expansion plan details revealed

A prison in Bridgend could expand to house another 345 inmates, with an increase of 160 staff.

The company behind the development, Galliford Try Construction Limited, says it hopes to submit a full planning application for the proposed works in July.

Members of the public have been asked to give their views on early proposals to expand HMP Parc.

The Ministry of Justice, which owns the prison, has been approached for comment.

HMP Parc is a category B prison which opened in 1997, and currently accommodates 1,670 prisoners and 676 staff.

The prison has recently been criticised for failing to tackle an “alarming” amount of drug that have led to a “spate” of deaths.

The expansion proposals, which are subject to the consultation, include demolishing and repositioning parts of the boundary wall, building a K-shaped block to accommodate the extra prisoners, and a new gym and multifaith building.

The plans also include a new access road to the north of the site, and a new car park to the east.

G4S, which runs the prison, declined to comment.

Bridgend council said no planning application had been received at this stage, but its own consultation process would take place if that were to happen.