Aberavon MP Stephen Kinnock has written to the new Minister for Prisons, Rory Stewart OBE MP, urging him to get up to speed on the proposals for a prison in Port Talbot and calling for an urgent meeting to discuss why the land in the Baglan Industrial Park is not suitable for a prison.

In his letter to the Minister, Mr Kinnock said, ‘This proposal has caused great anger, consternation and upset among local residents, who have serious concerns over the suitability of the land that has been identified by the Ministry of Justice, given its proximity to residential areas and the knock-on effect this will have on the community.

Mr Kinnock also called on the Minister to confirm the details for the two-day consultation event that the previous Minister has promised.

Commenting on Rory Stewart OBE’s appointment, Mr Kinnock said, ‘A new Minister presents a new challenge, which is why it is important he gets up to speed on this issue quickly. The case has been put quite clearly to the Ministry of Justice: this land is not suitable for a prison. In reading the previous correspondence and the arguments that have been put to his predecessor, including about the covenant, the congestion on local roads and the proximity to residential areas, the new Minister should see that the land is not suitable and the Ministry of Justice should look again at the other identified sites.’