A village's future hangs in the balance: Could a prison closure turn Princetown into a ghost town? The closure of HMP Dartmoor in Princetown, Devon, due to dangerous levels of radon gas, has sparked serious concerns about the village's survival. The potential loss of the prison, a cornerstone of the community for over two centuries, threatens to unravel the fabric of Princetown.
HMP Dartmoor, shuttered in July 2024, was found to have radon gas levels up to 10 times higher than safe limits. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has stated the closure is temporary, and they are working to assess the feasibility of a safe reopening. But here's where it gets controversial...
The impact of the prison's permanent closure could be devastating. Estimates suggest the loss of over 200 prison staff and 600 inmates could create a £30 million hole in the local economy. Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, highlights the gravity of the situation, stating that this is a very difficult debate. He also added that public health and radon gas are going to win.
For Princetown, a village with a population of only 1,500 people, the prison has been a source of jobs and economic activity for over 200 years. It has supported local businesses, including pubs, cafes, shops, and a Post Office. Jane Liversidge, who works at the Post Office and Store, fears that the village will become a ghost town if the prison doesn't reopen.
Adding to the concerns, Princetown's visitor centre closed in October due to rising costs and reduced government funding. Nikki Hirst, who established the Princetown Business Network, is working to ensure the village's survival. She is trying to think beyond the prison's closure and create a plan for the future.
And this is the part most people miss...
Terry Hirst, Nikki's husband and the owner of the Rambler's Rest Guesthouse, believes reopening the prison is the logical choice. He argues that it would be more cost-effective than building a new prison. The MoJ has confirmed that the site has been made safe and a radon risk assessment is in place.
The MoJ's current plan is to move staff out of HMP Dartmoor while they investigate the possibility of reopening.
What do you think? Should the prison be reopened, even with the health risks, to save the village's economy? Or should the safety of the community take precedence? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
