Recommendation 7

In 2021, MoJ had planned to deliver three of its new prisons by 2026, despite having no planning permission in place.18 It also told us it factored in just 26 weeks to gain approvals, even though sites were not earmarked in local plans.19 We challenged MoJ on whether it felt its plans were over–ambitious and if it should have better anticipated planning delays.20 MoJ said that it did not regret making the commitment given the places were required.21 It argued that it was relying on ‘Project Speed’, a HM Treasury and Cabinet Office–led initiative, to streamline and speed–up planning approvals but that the project did not deliver.22 It also said that there were delays it could not have anticipated, for example where two sites were recommended for approval by the local planning official but were later rejected.23 MoJ conceded that with hindsight it would have been better not to have planned on the basis that Project Speed would be successful.24