Plans to build a prison on a Winsford Industrial Estate have been abandoned after it was mooted as a potential site.
Earlier this week Sam Gyimah MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Justice, wrote to local Eddisbury MP Antoinette Sandbach to formally confirm the prison would not be built on Winsford Industrial Estate.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) put the town forward to the Government for consideration following a review of a number of potential locations across the borough.
CWaC revealed only two sites in Winsford met the majority of the criteria.
Ms Sandbach, who opposed plans, launched a petition in July following the announcement, which gained hundreds of signatures from local residents.
The MP said she is 'delighted' with the Government's decision not to build a prison in Winsford.
“This was an ill-conceived plan that left local residents in the dark and I do not regret exposing it,” she said.
“Winsford deserves better, we need high quality jobs on our industrial estates and ambition for our community, a prison is not the answer.
“This announcement is a victory for the hundreds of local residents who’ve signed my petition and opposed these dreadful plans. I’m grateful to every local resident that has supported my campaign, signed the petition or discussed this with me in Winsford.
“The Government has assessed the site and found it to be unsuitable and we’ve made a solid case that it’s not wanted here.
“This is a victory for common sense and we can now continue to focus on what our town really needs.”
