MULTI-MILLION pound plans could see two of the nations biggest new state-of-the-art prisons built in the area as government bosses launch a consultation.

Residents are being invited to have their say as bold plans to build two new prisons in Wethersfield were unveiled.

The Ministry of Justice has sent out letters to residents informing them of plans to build the facilities at the RAF Wethersfield air base.

The government body has said each prison, which would be built next to each other, would hold around 1,715 male prisoners each.

Currently, the largest prison in the UK is Her Majesty's Prison Five Wells, which is expected to be completed in February 2022, but can hold 1,680 inmates.

They added that they would hope to begin construction work as soon as 2023.

Initial proposals for the site can be found here which outline what residents can expect to see built.

The move is part of a bid to expand the number of available prison spaces by 18,000 by the mid-2020s.

Each prison would have seven separate blocks and each block would have have four floors, with around 60 prisoners on each floor, making a total of around 240 prisoners in each block.

Each floor will also have room for group activities and most cells will hold one prisoner.

A few cells are designed to hold two prisoners and many cells will be set up for prisoners with low-mobility.

All cells will have a shower and a toilet but the cells will also be able to have a phone so prisoners can talk to family and legal representatives.

The proposals say access to phone calls helps to prepare prisoners for release but are strictly supervised.

The consultation is now open for residents to take part in with events scheduled to take place in October.

On October 14 and 15 there will be virtual zoom meetings, the first at 7pm and the other at 1pm.

There will also be a physical exhibition at Finchingfield Guild Hall on October 20 from 3pm to 8pm as well as another at Wethersfield Village Hall during the same time period on October 21.

In a letter sent to residents, the Ministry of Justice say the bid will benefit the area but they won’t put a planning application forward until the consultation is over.

It said: “The Ministry of Justice is committed to tackling crime ad keeping communities safer.

“Against this background, we have reviewed prison places across the country and are in the process of identifying potential locations for new prisons to meet anticipated future demand.

“Two new prisons in Wethersfield would contribute over £70million to the local economy and create new jobs, while providing safe, secure and decent prison places.

“We want to engage with you and your local community to ensure your views are considered and to share with you the benefits that the proposed new prisons could bring to the area, such as creating over 1,200 new jobs working in the new prisons in a wide range of roles.

“Should the proposals go ahead, in addition to providing construction apprenticeships and work placements, a minimum of 25 per cent of the project spend would be within the local area, and a minimum of 30 per cent would be spent with small and medium enterprises.

“For example, at our prison currently under construction at Glen Parva, we have so far spent over £59million locally within 25 miles of the site, the target spend is £71million,

“At the same site, we have so far spent £16million with small and medium enterprises.

“We know that you may have views ans questions about new prisons being built in your area during the consultation we want to understand and address any concerns you may have.

“It is important that we receive your feedback before deciding whether to take our proposals forward to a planning application.”