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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| £100m prison given the go-ahead | £100m prison given the go-ahead |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Plans to build a new prison in East Dunbartonshire at a cost of more than £100m have been approved by ministers. | Plans to build a new prison in East Dunbartonshire at a cost of more than £100m have been approved by ministers. |
| The 700-cell jail will be constructed on the site of the existing Low Moss prison, near Bishopbriggs. | The 700-cell jail will be constructed on the site of the existing Low Moss prison, near Bishopbriggs. |
| East Dunbartonshire Council had turned down the proposal, however the decision was overturned by the Scottish Executive after a public inquiry. | East Dunbartonshire Council had turned down the proposal, however the decision was overturned by the Scottish Executive after a public inquiry. |
| Council Leader John Morrison said the decision would not be greeted with enthusiasm in some parts. | Council Leader John Morrison said the decision would not be greeted with enthusiasm in some parts. |
| "Others will be satisfied with it as they believed that a new prison would bring economic benefits to the area," he said. | "Others will be satisfied with it as they believed that a new prison would bring economic benefits to the area," he said. |
| Capacity at the Low Moss site is expected to double and ministers have previously indicated that it could also be built through the private finance initiative. | Capacity at the Low Moss site is expected to double and ministers have previously indicated that it could also be built through the private finance initiative. |
| 'Financial contribution' | 'Financial contribution' |
| The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) initially applied to the East Dunbartonshire Council in 2003 to build a new prison on the site of the current facility. | The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) initially applied to the East Dunbartonshire Council in 2003 to build a new prison on the site of the current facility. |
| I do not believe this is the right site for a prison Councillor Margaret McNaughton | I do not believe this is the right site for a prison Councillor Margaret McNaughton |
| The request was rejected by councillors at the time, despite it having the backing of local planners. | The request was rejected by councillors at the time, despite it having the backing of local planners. |
| A public inquiry was held last year after the SPS appealed against the council decision and the reporter ruled in favour of the new jail. | A public inquiry was held last year after the SPS appealed against the council decision and the reporter ruled in favour of the new jail. |
| Scottish Executive ministers have now approved the plan also, on the condition the SPS pays the council £335,000 towards a Bishopbriggs relief road, with the two sides having three months to settle the details. | Scottish Executive ministers have now approved the plan also, on the condition the SPS pays the council £335,000 towards a Bishopbriggs relief road, with the two sides having three months to settle the details. |
| A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "Ministers have advised the SPS that they are minded to grant outline planning permission, subject to conditions. | A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "Ministers have advised the SPS that they are minded to grant outline planning permission, subject to conditions. |
| "The formal grant of permission is, however, dependent on the conclusion of an agreement which will require the SPS to make a financial contribution to East Dunbartonshire Council towards the delivery of the A803 Route Corridor Strategy." | "The formal grant of permission is, however, dependent on the conclusion of an agreement which will require the SPS to make a financial contribution to East Dunbartonshire Council towards the delivery of the A803 Route Corridor Strategy." |
| Local councillor Margaret McNaughton said she was disappointed at the decision. | Local councillor Margaret McNaughton said she was disappointed at the decision. |
| "I do not believe this is the right site for a prison," she said. | "I do not believe this is the right site for a prison," she said. |
| "Many years ago, the community was told that the prison was temporary and low security and that it would be removed." | "Many years ago, the community was told that the prison was temporary and low security and that it would be removed." |
| Solidarity MSP Rosemary Byrne said the decision was an "appalling waste of public money". | |
| She said: "We should instead be tackling the causes of crime which lead to imprisonment, chief among which is the failure of our policy on drug treatment." | |
| Another new prison, to be funded by the private sector, is already planned for Addiewell in West Lothian. | Another new prison, to be funded by the private sector, is already planned for Addiewell in West Lothian. |