Recommendation 11

HMPPS also acknowledged that while 95% of the remaining places had outline planning permission, permission for one of its new prisons, Garth, is currently under judicial review.35 MoJ and HMPPS explained that they are relying on proposed policy changes to how government approves planning permission through the Crown Development Route to avoid similar delays in the future. They told us that engaging with local communities remained important, but acknowledged that the changes would centralise decision– making, bypassing local planning committees.36