Gloucester Prison's closure opens up key redevelopment sites
SHUTTING the jail offers a golden opportunity to redevelop a quarter of the city rich in heritage, claim city leaders.
They have been eyeing up the key site, which is fringed by publicly-owned land ripe for redevelopment, for some time.
While the part-Grade II listed prison could be converted into a hotel or flats, its closure also makes redeveloping neighbouring Blackfriars a more attractive proposition.
"We have been looking at major regeneration opportunities at Blackfriars and one major hurdle is the prison next door," said Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company boss Chris Oldershaw. "With that moving out, it will be much easier to market."
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GHURC has considered a combined courts and police building at Blackfriars, and Mr Oldershaw said the prison could be turned in to a hotel, as in Oxford.
Comments
by gloslad27
Friday, January 11 2013, 3:16PM
“Its NOT the council closing the prison what can they do!”
by SELINA30
Friday, January 11 2013, 11:15AM
“No mention of those losing their jobs by local Tory Chris Oldershaw. No change there then. If this had happened under Labour the Citizen would be outraged that it had happened without public debate or discussion. The Tories can talk tough on crime or they can shut prisons-they cant do both.”
by geraint2010
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:21AM
“Gloucester HERITAGE Urban Regeneration Company boss? In this city at least it seems that "Heritage" has totally lost its meaning much the same as "Culture" has more generally.”
by Matt1006
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:12AM
“I guess the "For Sale" and "Development potential, subject to permissions" boards will soon appear outside the prison walls. Can't image the Prison Service will want to retain ownership of the site / buildings for long once the last prisoners are transferred out. Even empty, the security / basic maintenance costs of a prison will be considerable, I'm assuming. The whole point of the prison closing is a cost-cutting exercise, so they'll want rid of all on-going costs ASAP.
It wouldn't be the first former prison cell block to be converted to residential / hotel use, and as it's Listed it will have to stay up. We now wait to see what becomes of it in the longer term, and how long it all sits empty in the meantime. Can't image much will happen for a couple of years, apart perhaps from un-Listed buildings / structures being demolished.”
by Lecorche
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:11AM
“I won't miss the prison. If it's inconvenient to visit then don't get sent there in the first place.
Not that I'd like to see another housing estate there,either.
Maybe if the Council got off it's knees to the Developers and gave us something attractive and (dare I whisper it) free that could be appreciated by all the place might become worth visiting.
Somewhere that this type of thing could happen.
http://tinyurl.com/a2odoes”
by mike3287
Friday, January 11 2013, 9:30AM
“Oh, typical developers, damn leaches - can't WAIT to jump in to your grave, eh!! And in the current economic climate, it makes you wonder just who this development is aimed at - certainly not people who are on low incomes. Furthermore, with such a high crime rate in the area, think of the expense of transporting remand prisoners to and from Bristol, Redditch or Cardiff prisons, not to mention extra costs incurred for visiting familes.”
by localboy51
Friday, January 11 2013, 9:20AM
“Already the cash tills are ringing for the developers & the council. Not a thought for the 200 or people who will probably loose their jobs.
It is the usual greed shown by people these days - we can re-develop the site, we can make more money for the city, we can look after ourselves.
Etc etc etc.
Parasites who prey on the unfortunate. Its disgusting & Mr Oldershaw should be ashamed of himself for his attitude.
He should take a step backwards, look in the mirror see if he likes what he see's.
After-which he should apologies to the people who will be loosing their jobs for being a selfish & inconsiderate fool.
Lets be honest - he will never be out of a job as he will always make sure he has some quango or tax payer funded job to walk into.
The man is a fool.”