Construction News Read UK Construction Industry News, Analysis, Opinion and data Tier one contractor Wates has signed the main works order to deliver a £100m expansion at HMP Onley in Warwickshire – the first scheme in the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ’s) Small Secure Houseblocks programme to reach this stage.
The project will add 180 category C prison places using three 60-bed houseblocks, Wates announced this morning (19 August).
It forms part of the government’s wider prison expansion plan, which aims to increase capacity across the estate and ease national pressure on available places.
Wates will also build a new vocational workshop aimed at improving rehabilitation outcomes, and refurbish existing kitchens, classrooms and office facilities.
More than 65 per cent of the new houseblocks will be manufactured offsite. The scheme will use a standardised design developed under the Ministry of Justice’s Alliance framework to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate delivery.
Phil Shortman, managing director of MoJ projects at Wates, said the Onley project “represents a significant milestone in providing much-needed new prison places”.
Construction is due for completion by the end of 2026, Wates said.
The contractor added that Mace and Gleeds have also been appointed to the project team.
Source: Wates announcement