300 protest against prison site

Protesters say the area is too densely populated for a jail

Residents in Cwmbran have held a protest against proposals which could see a prison open near their homes.

The town's old police training centre is one of four possible sites being considered to house a new Welsh jail.

An action group set up in the Greenmeadow area of the town called a demonstration outside the 39-acre centre on Saturday afternoon.

Organisers said around 300 people turned out to show their opposition despite heavy rain.

The Cwmbran site was bought by the Ministry of Justice in 2007, prompting fears it will be the eventual choice.

It has been rated as a "very good" site by officials and could hold up to 1,500 inmates if given the go-ahead.

The three other potential places for the new prison are Merthyr, Wrexham and Caernarfon.

Local councillors Elizabeth Haynes and Catherine Lewis are two of the founding figures behind the Oppose the Prison Action Group.

Demonstators are planning a trip to the Ministry of Justice, which owns the site

Prior to the event, Mrs Lewis said: "We feel that evidence is indicating that Cwmbran is a strong contender for a prison.

"We will not sit back; we will not let this happen without a fight."

Speaking from the protest, she told BBC Wales' news website: "It's been a brilliant turnout. It's been pouring down with rain and we expected a washout, but people have been great.

"There was a small police presence but there was no trouble at all."

She said the group would be meeting on Monday to discuss their next event, which could be a march through the town.

They are also planning a trip to the Ministry of Justice headquarters in London at the end of September to hand in a petition asking for Cwmbran not to be chosen, which already has a couple of thousand signatures according to Mrs Lewis.

The initial report on the shortlisted locations see the advantages of Cwmbran being close to the M4 corridor, courts and rail links.

Ms Haynes added: "We have always made our views on a prison very clear. Residents need action not just words.

"The peaceful protest will send a message loud and clear to the National Offenders Management Services, that we will not take this lying down."

Although the Cwmbran site was only officially shortlisted last week, its opponents have been putting together a petition to oppose the plans since October 2007 after finding out that the site had been sold to the Ministry of Justice.

Torfaen council has previously stated it would oppose the plans as it would jeopardise its own multi-million pound programme to regenerate the nearby town centre.