New Silage Clamps for Prison Farm

(HM PRISON CATTLE AND PIG ENTERPRISE)

Acorus have worked closely with the HM Prison Service on a number of projects including the planning and design of new buildings and refurbishment and appraisal of old buildings on prison farms.

One such project was to upgrade the cattle and pig enterprise at Hewell Grange Open Prison in Worcestershire, one of the UK’s two surviving prison farms. Originally set up to provide food for the prison inmates, the farm now offers training within agriculture and rehabilitation.

The livestock buildings at Hewell Grange were in need of modernisation and the waste handling systems needed to meet current stringent standards. New silage storage facilities were planned to replace the existing ones which were inadequate and badly sited. Site constraints made the planning stage difficult as it was essential that the new buildings were sited beyond sight lines from the Grange.

With Acorus’ extensive planning and building design knowledge, a successful planning application was submitted. Following planning approval, technical information was prepared, contractors were appointed and the project was completed prior to silage making and the winter cattle housing period.