TENDRING will not be used to site a new mega prison, it has been confirmed.

A Freedom of Information request revealed Tendring Council had identified sites near Frating, Horsley Cross and at Pond Hall Farm in Harwich could be earmarked for a prison.

The council had responded positively to the Ministry of Justice after it wrote to councils across country asking if they had suitable land for a new prison in their area.

Council leader Neil Stock said: “The Government has committed to creating 10,000 modern prison places by 2020 backed by £1.3 billion to transform the estate.

“As part of this review the Ministry of Justice wrote to all local authorities in early 2016 to enquire whether they had any sites which matched certain criteria and which may be suitable for a new prison.

“Twenty local authorities responded, of which Tendring was one, on the grounds that a new prison would secure inward investment and economic development as well as creating many much-needed jobs.

“Three employment sites in the district were put forward which came closest to matching the criteria.

“We received no further communication or reply from the Ministry of Justice and doubtless all members will be aware that last week the Justice Secretary announced that sites at Full Sutton, Hindley, Rochester and Port Talbot have been earmarked for development of new prisons.

“There are no plans to build a prison in Tendring.”

Harwich Labour councillor Jo Henderson criticised council bosses for responding to the Ministry of Justice without consulting all councillors.

She said: “I called for a statement because there was a lot of concern from residents, which councillors did not have enough information to respond to.”

“I feel that councillors should have been fully briefed rather than read about the possibility of a new prison in the newspaper.”