GOVERNMENT ministers are set to ignore council opposition to a prison at Middleton - despite a massive demonstration against the plans.

Home Office minister Ann Widdecombe said on Tuesday she would be appealing against the council's overwhelming decision to thwart plans to turn the former Pontins holiday camp into a category C prison.

Councillors now face a showdown with the Government in their fight to block the plans.

Protesters besieged Lancaster City Council's planning meeting on Monday as councillors threw out the controversial proposal by 16 votes to one. Now the Prison Service is expected to refer the matter to the Department of Environment for approval.

Ann Widdecombe said: "Temporary accommodation, such as the former holiday camp outside Heysham, has met with difficulties but the Prison Service is working towards resolving the problems to provide vital places."

Her views were made clear after a meeting with Morecambe's MP Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd. He said he was 'extremely disappointed' by her response.

He said: "The minister explained the need for more prison space and made it clear she had decided to appeal against the city council's decision."

Councillors threw out the prison plan as it would -

Destroy the appeal of the area as a holiday retreat

Destroy holiday business

Dominate the small rural village community

There is insufficient public transport

It is sited close to seven caravan sites and on the edge of a natural habitat area.

Cllr Geoff Knight told the meeting: "I would like to see it opposed because it is detrimental to tourism and leisure and there is unsuitable road access."

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