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300 protest against prison site | 300 protest against prison site |
(30 minutes later) | |
Residents in Cwmbran have held a protest against proposals which could see a prison open near their homes. | Residents in Cwmbran have held a protest against proposals which could see a prison open near their homes. |
The town's old police training centre is one of four possible sites being considered to house a new Welsh jail. | The town's old police training centre is one of four possible sites being considered to house a new Welsh jail. |
An action group set up in the Greenmeadow area of the town called a demonstration outside the 39-acre centre on Saturday afternoon. | An action group set up in the Greenmeadow area of the town called a demonstration outside the 39-acre centre on Saturday afternoon. |
Organisers said around 300 people turned out to show their opposition despite heavy rain. | Organisers said around 300 people turned out to show their opposition despite heavy rain. |
The Cwmbran site was bought by the Ministry of Justice in 2007, prompting fears it will be the eventual choice. | The Cwmbran site was bought by the Ministry of Justice in 2007, prompting fears it will be the eventual choice. |
It has been rated as a "very good" site by officials and could hold up to 1,500 inmates if given the go-ahead. | It has been rated as a "very good" site by officials and could hold up to 1,500 inmates if given the go-ahead. |
The three other potential places for the new prison are Merthyr, Wrexham and Caernarfon. | The three other potential places for the new prison are Merthyr, Wrexham and Caernarfon. |
Local councillors Elizabeth Haynes and Catherine Lewis are two of the founding figures behind the Oppose the Prison Action Group. | Local councillors Elizabeth Haynes and Catherine Lewis are two of the founding figures behind the Oppose the Prison Action Group. |
Demonstators are planning a trip to the Ministry of Justice, which owns the site | |
Prior to the event, Mrs Lewis said: "We feel that evidence is indicating that Cwmbran is a strong contender for a prison. | Prior to the event, Mrs Lewis said: "We feel that evidence is indicating that Cwmbran is a strong contender for a prison. |
"We will not sit back; we will not let this happen without a fight." | "We will not sit back; we will not let this happen without a fight." |
Speaking from the protest, she told BBC Wales' news website: "It's been a brilliant turnout. It's been pouring down with rain and we expected a washout, but people have been great. | Speaking from the protest, she told BBC Wales' news website: "It's been a brilliant turnout. It's been pouring down with rain and we expected a washout, but people have been great. |
"There was a small police presence but there was no trouble at all." | "There was a small police presence but there was no trouble at all." |
She said the group would be meeting on Monday to discuss their next event, which could be a march through the town. | She said the group would be meeting on Monday to discuss their next event, which could be a march through the town. |
They are also planning a trip to the Ministry of Justice headquarters in London at the end of September to hand in a petition asking for Cwmbran not to be chosen, which already has a couple of thousand signatures according to Mrs Lewis. | They are also planning a trip to the Ministry of Justice headquarters in London at the end of September to hand in a petition asking for Cwmbran not to be chosen, which already has a couple of thousand signatures according to Mrs Lewis. |
The initial report on the shortlisted locations see the advantages of Cwmbran being close to the M4 corridor, courts and rail links. | The initial report on the shortlisted locations see the advantages of Cwmbran being close to the M4 corridor, courts and rail links. |
Ms Haynes added: "We have always made our views on a prison very clear. Residents need action not just words. | Ms Haynes added: "We have always made our views on a prison very clear. Residents need action not just words. |
"The peaceful protest will send a message loud and clear to the National Offenders Management Services, that we will not take this lying down." | "The peaceful protest will send a message loud and clear to the National Offenders Management Services, that we will not take this lying down." |
Although the Cwmbran site was only officially shortlisted last week, its opponents have been putting together a petition to oppose the plans since October 2007 after finding out that the site had been sold to the Ministry of Justice. | Although the Cwmbran site was only officially shortlisted last week, its opponents have been putting together a petition to oppose the plans since October 2007 after finding out that the site had been sold to the Ministry of Justice. |
Torfaen council has previously stated it would oppose the plans as it would jeopardise its own multi-million pound programme to regenerate the nearby town centre. | Torfaen council has previously stated it would oppose the plans as it would jeopardise its own multi-million pound programme to regenerate the nearby town centre. |
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