WINSFORD MP Antoinette Sandbach has rejected claims that Cheshire West and Chester Council had to suggest sites in the borough a potential prison to comply with Government requirements.

The MP for Eddisbury announced two weeks ago that the possibility of building a prison in Winsford Industrial Estate was being explored by CWAC.

The council responded by stating that they had suggested two sites in Winsford when asked to provide a list of possible sites by Government, and that the Government had informed the council of its intention to explore the site at the industrial estate.

However, Ms Sandbach has said that it was purely a ‘voluntary submission of interest’ by the council.

“I have had many constituents contact me, very concerned about the prospect of a prison for Winsford,” said Ms Sandbach.

“I must correct the statement put out by the council that suggests that the council had to suggest sites to comply with the Government. This was a voluntary submission of interest from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“Consultation should have taken place before any suggestion of having a prison was put forward.”