£100m Prison Given The Go-Ahead
By News Scotland

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.

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. “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.

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 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.

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. 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. “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.”

Another new prison, to be funded by the private sector, is already planned for Addiewell in West Lothian.