Appendix 5 Consultation Summary

Appendix 5

Summary of Consultation Responses

New Isle Of Man Prison At Jurby Airfield

Summary of Consultation Responses

12-13 November 2002

Introduction

Public consultation for the proposed new prison at Jurby was held in Jurby Parish Hall on 12-13 November 2002, from 12 noon to 8pm on both days. The purpose of the event was to share with the public the proposed layout that would be submitted for planning approval, to provide further information and answer questions and to allow the public a response to these proposals.

The consultation had been publicised by a leaflet, prepared by Taylor Young, which was distributed to local residents. There was also a notice in the local press. The consultation event consisted of a 12 A1 panel public exhibition, a 1:1250 scale model and a 3D computer simulation. The following people were also on hand to answer questions:

• Rosie Crosby, Prison Governor
• Barry Clark, Prison Service Head of Works
• an additional prison officer on each day
• Colonel John Mayo, Chairman of Jurby Parish Commissioner
• Andrea Key, Taylor Young
• Simon Peake, Taylor Young

And also at various times:

• Minister Phil Braidwood, Home Affairs Minister
• David Cannon, DHA Member
• Paul Slinger, Dairymple Associates
• Niall McGarrigle, McGarrigle Architects
• Stephen Gleave, Taylor Young
• David Curran, Taylor Young
• Steve Prescott, Prescott Associates

Comments sheets were available for respondents to complete. This formed the feedback on the proposals from the public. Around 150 people attended the exhibition over the two days approximately 1 in 3 completing and returning a comments sheet. A few respondents also took comments sheet away to return by post. A party of schoolchildren also visited on the second day, accompanied by their teacher and classroom assistant.

Results

Number of visitors

Tuesday 12th November: 75 Wednesday 13th November: 68 (plus 27 schoolchildren)

The exhibition was also attended by the following media:

• Border Television
• Isle of Man Newspapers
• Isle of Man Examiner

Number of completed comments sheets: 46 (over both days)

Answers to questions

Do you agree that the Isle of Man needs a new prison? Yes: 43 (93%) No: 3 (7%) Other: 0

Do you think that Jurby Airfield is a suitable site for the prison? Yes: 27 (59%) No: 16 (35%) Other: 3 (6%)

Do you think that access and parking arrangements are satisfactory? Yes: 28 (61%) No: 7 (15%) Other: 11 (24%)

Comments

Comments made by more than one respondent:

• Site is too far from Douglas [8 responses]
• Prison will provide regeneration benefits for Jurby [6]
• Prison should be built soon [6]
• Concerns over visual impact (esp. from Mountain Road and Church) [5]
• Local roads should be improved due to likely traffic impact [5]
• The prison will deter investment in Jurby [4]
• Prison should not be built on this greenfield site [4]
• Emergency services cover makes this a poor location [3]
• Public transport needs to be improved [3]
• Will the prison staff be paid travel expenses? [2]
• Sewage measures need to be improved [2]
• Wildlife impact should be considered [2]
• Sports and education facilities should be made available to local residents [2]

Comments made by individual respondents:

• Concern over road safety and construction traffic
• Prison is fully staffed, will not provide any new jobs
• Jurby needs more than the prison
• Recycling centre should be expanded to serve wider area
• Landscaping is good
• Native trees should be planted
• Concern over rainwater run-off
• Electricity supply should be improved
• Remand prisoners should be kept in Douglas, close to courts
• Concern over the type of prisoner to be housed
• The prison is too well equipped for inmates
• The site should be reserved for a future new airport
• Concern over continuing recreational use of airfield

• A new earth bank should be built to the south of the existing prison, using excavated material, to be used as seating for race days
• It is good to have the chance to talk about this

1. School children's responses

27 responses

Do you agree that the Isle of Man needs a new prison? Yes: 27 (100%) No: 0 Other: 0

Do you think that Jurby Airfield is a suitable site for the prison? Yes: 24 (89%) No: 2 (7%) Other: 1 (4%)

Do you think that access and parking arrangements are satisfactory? Yes: 18 (67%) No: 9 (33%) Other: 0

Summary

On the whole the event proved a useful exercise and was well attended. The response was approximately 60% in favour of the prison at Jurby. Some important and interesting points and areas of concern, were raised by members of the public and should be taken into account as the project progresses.