FOUR Denbigh councillors have renewed calls for a new Welsh prison to be sited at the derelict North Wales Hospital.
Labour town and county councillors have joined forces to issue a plea for people to get behind their campaign for the Ministry of Justice to site a new prison in Denbigh because the councillors said it is a 'tolerant community' and would be a 'lifeline for the area.'
Councillors Ian Davies, Colin Hughes, Graham Maudsley and Pip Stevens said the new year brings new hopes for a prison in North Wales.
"As Labour councillors, we believe Denbigh is the location best suited for such a development," they said.
"Upper Denbigh is crying out for re-generation. A prison with 1,500 places on land at the former North Wales Hospital would be a lifeline for the area, its people, and the local economy."
They said the reported 1,000 extra jobs would be a 'shot in the arm for shops and businesses who would benefit from the spin-offs' and believe Denbigh residents would gain supporting roles in the prison.
"Ancillary jobs would be created with a prison, providing much-needed employment for the town," said the councillors.
Last November the county council’s chief executive Mohammed Mehmet and leader Hugh Evans said they favoured the Greengates site in St Asaph for a new prison.
The 80 acre piece of land also received backing from St Asaph town council and division commander, Simon Humphreys of North Wales Police.
But the Labour councillors countered: "Denbighshire County Council favours the Greengates site near St Asaph close to the A55. But for whose benefit?"
County councillor Raymond Bartley said he thinks the town is divided over having a prison.
"Yes it would bring jobs that are badly needed but questions need answering, like how many people would they employ from within the town,” he said.
"Personally I think it's a non starter.”
Cllr Neville Hughes said he supported the idea and Denbigh would be ideal
"Something needs to be done with the site."
St Asaph Cllr Bill Cowie said: "Denbighshire County Council have given an expression of interest to the WAG and now we have certain town councillors suggesting a better site.
"I feel they should be supporting the county council's decision."
Cllr Cowie added the Greengates site ticked all the right boxes and everybody should be supporting it.
"To get to the North Wales hospital is very difficult by car.
“Greengates is on the edge of the A55, a police custody suite, hospital and railway station are near."
Cllr Cowie added many jobs have also been lost recently with big companies like Indesit closing so to replace those would be beneficial to the area.
"The land in Greengates is also owned by the county which would bring money into them, the hospital is privately owned so would mean putting money in another pot."
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