Titan prison fears 'based on fantasy'

11.28.00pm GMT Thu 5th Nov 2009

AN MP has accused a councillor of 'scaremongering' over claims that a prison could be built in Oldham.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher has criticised Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Alcock after he launched a petition to prevent the building of a Titan jail for 1,500 prisoners in Foxdenton, Chadderton.

Mr Meacher says he has been assured that no development is planned or envisaged and said the minister of justice dismissed the site as 'non-viable'.

He challenged Coun Alcock to provide evidence there are proposals to build a prison on the site.

But the councillor insisted there is a chance the prison will be built in Chadderton. He said: "The decision is due next April. Chadderton is one of 75 sites being considered for three prisons."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman refused to rule out Chadderton. He said a search is being undertaken for sites in the north west, London, north Wales and West Yorkshire. A total of 7,500 spaces are needed. Two sites in Essex have been chosen and it appears three other sites will be chosen.

Mr Meacher says he has been contacted by constituents claiming that Coun Alcock has called them to ask them to sign a petition. He told the M.E.N: "It is absolute, utter fantasy. I believe he is scaremongering and I don't think you can divorce this from the fact that there is a forthcoming election. Where is the evidence? This is just hearsay."

He added: "Many constituents are most distressed as they have been assured by the lord chancellor, the minister and myself that no such development is planned or envisaged."

MEN 5-11-2009 by Mike Keegan