Plans have been submitted to expand HMP Styal, the closed and open category women's prison on Styal Road.
The proposals is for HMP Styal to expand their accommodation numbers for the open category prison to enable residents to transfer from the closed prison to the open without any geographical changes.
The plans involve the addition of two new open houseblocks; accommodating 25 female residents each.
To support the new houseblocks, and its electric-only energy source, photovoltaic panels will be located on the house block roofs and additionally nearby to the new house blocks. Additionally, there is a requirement to extend the car park to accommodate the additional staff required for the new houseblocks, as well as for those open residents who have their own cars to travel to work placements.
In total 24 new parking bays are proposed, of which 2 are to be wheelchair accessible and 5 will be provided with an electric car charging point. New lighting and CCTV will be installed, where required, to ensure the security and safety for the additional parking spaces.
The existing capacity at Styal Prison is 397 closed prisoners and 25 open prisoners which would increase to 75.
The supporting documentation explains that the benefits of open accommodation "is to support the rehabilitation of the residents back into society through a managed process called a Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). This is where the residents can leave the premises to attend a work placement; giving them a controlled integration with others, a sense of placement and need, and the ability to earn their own money.
"Their remaining time will be spent in and around the houseblocks. For this reason the area dedicated to the open accommodation is enclosed by either existing substantial woodland/hedgerows, or, a new domestic timber fence."
The plans can be vierwed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 22/4467M.
