An Essex newspaper has challenged the Prime Minister to defend plans for a youth jail in the area.

The Brentwood Gazette has written to Tony Blair asking him to explain the decision to locate a secure training centre for persistent young offenders in the town at a site previously used as a youth treatment centre until 1996.

Gazette editor Roger Watkins offered space on the paper’s comment page for the Government to give reasons for the planned development.

And Lord Warner, Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, responded with an article defending the decision.

In his article, Lord Warner said: “The Brentwood site, which will cater for 40 young people, is located within the catchment area for London and the South East and is the only suitable site in this region.

“It meets all the basic criteria for a suitable site: catchment area, accessibility by public transport and road and the site is capable of sheltering a development so children are not overlooked.”

He also stated: “Introducing a secure training centre in Brentwood need have no negative impact on the local community.”

However, the Gazette’s Comment column was not convinced by Lord Warner’s response.

It said: “Lord Warner, who appears to have a distinguished track record in youth matters, attempts to answer the challenge thrown down to Tony Blair by the Gazette to justify dumping this institution in our midst.

“But his contribution to the debate is neither significant nor illuminating.

“Instead, it is mostly a rehash of the tenuous arguments put forward at last September’s public inquiry, a hearing which many thought mere window dressing and background music to a deal which has already been done.”

Editor Roger Watkins, who wrote that column, told Holdthefrontpage “The plans are against the wishes of the people of Brentwood. It is green-belt land and on the edge of a housing estate, two minutes from Brentwood High Street.

“Until April 2001, the land was to be sold off for building and open space but now it has been kept for s Secure Training Centre.

“There has been outrage from local people and we are actively campaigning against it. We perceive that because this is a strong Tory constituency, Labour are happy to dump the STC where they are not likely to lose any votes.

“I offered space in the paper for the Government to give their reasons why they opted for Brentwood. Lord Warner has given his reasons but it is a bizarre claim that this is the only place in the South Ease for the centre. There were often problems when it was used as a Youth Treatment Centre.

“It looks like it is a done deal now but we’ll keep having a bash at the campaign in terms of damage limitation and restraint, making it as secure as possible.”

Brentwood council leader Cllr Vicky Cook backed the paper’s campaign: “The Gazette’s action is commendable but the Government should liase with local government. I feel a little bit aggrieved: it’s typical Labour spin – nice words that mean nothing.”

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