**Parc Prison Set for Major Expansion to Address Overcrowding Concerns**
A significant proposal to expand HMP Parc in Bridgend has been officially submitted to Bridgend County Borough Council on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, hoping to respond to the mounting pressure on prison capacity in Wales and the broader United Kingdom. If approved, the expansion could see the facility house up to 345 additional inmates and employ 160 more staff, marking a considerable development in the ongoing debate over the future of the prison estate.
The planning application, lodged by Galliford Try Construction Limited, seeks to construct a new ‘K-shaped’ residential block at the prison’s south-western perimeter. This project comes at a time when Parc Prison—currently managed by security firm G4S—is still grappling with the aftermath of scathing inspection reports, which recently highlighted critical failings in safety and substance control within the institution. The facility, which opened in 1997 in Coity, Bridgend, already accommodates 1,670 prisoners and 676 staff members.
According to the documents submitted, the proposal forms part of a national response to chronic space shortages across the UK’s prison network. Recent figures from the Public Accounts Committee warn that without intervention, capacities are expected to reach breaking point by early 2026. In light of these projections, central government has outlined an ambitious plan to deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2031. The Parc expansion plays a key role in achieving this objective, aiming to combat the risk of overcrowding and ensure safer, more manageable conditions for both inmates and staff.
Beyond the residential block, plans detail a comprehensive overhaul of prison amenities. The new development would not only add inmate accommodation but also replace kitchen and dining facilities, and introduce updated educational spaces, a dedicated gym, multi-faith building, improved visitor and staff entrances, and increase car parking provision. This infrastructure revamp is intended to support better rehabilitation and welfare services, reflecting a modern approach to custodial environments.
However, the expansion plans have not proceeded without local resistance. During a pre-application consultation, which ended in June, a range of concerns were expressed by both residents and the Coity Higher Community Council. Key issues cited include anticipated spikes in traffic, particularly along Heol Spencer, and worries about increased noise pollution. Some local residents also reported unease about the use of drones to drop contraband into the prison, with claims that these devices are being operated from nearby residential areas.
Further apprehensions were raised regarding general security, with accounts of people allegedly attempting to gain access to the site or loitering in adjacent wooded areas. In response, the prison operator has introduced extra external dog patrols to improve security and launched a window replacement programme designed to prevent drones from delivering banned items directly to cells.
While the potential for more jobs and improved facilities is welcomed by some, others remain sceptical about how effectively the expansion will address ongoing issues within the prison, especially in light of recent deaths linked to drug misuse. Community groups have urged the local planning authority to carefully weigh these concerns before making a decision.
The application is now under review and a verdict from Bridgend County Borough Council is expected in the coming months. The outcome will not only have significant implications for the local area but also for the much wider context of the UK’s criminal justice system, as it seeks to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
As the process unfolds, both advocates and critics will be watching closely, viewing Parc Prison as a test case for future expansions across the country. The community’s feedback and ongoing monitoring of conditions inside the facility will likely influence similar applications in the years ahead.