Wates has formally signed the main works order with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to deliver a major expansion at HMP Wayland in Norfolk, marking a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing prison building programme.
The project will deliver a new four-storey houseblock providing 247 additional Category C prison places, alongside a 1,200-capacity kitchen serving the entire prison. Additional facilities will include classrooms, a light industrial workshop, an all-weather sports pitch, and outdoor exercise areas, supporting prisoner rehabilitation and skills development to improve future employment prospects for prison leavers.
The expansion forms part of the government’s Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme, contributing to the wider target of creating 14,000 new prison places by 2031.
In line with Wates’ commitment to social value, the project will directly employ 10 prison leavers, as well as create 10 apprenticeships and opportunities for upskilling both prisoners and onsite workers. The initiative will also prioritise investment in the local supply chain and SMEs, ensuring economic benefits are felt across the surrounding community.
The new houseblock will feature a standardised, modular design using pre-manufactured components to enable efficient and high-quality delivery. It will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent or higher, aligning with the Ministry of Justice’s sustainability objectives and supporting lower long-term operational costs.
Key delivery partners on the project include SES Engineering Services, SES Manufacturing, FP McCann, and Aden Contracting, with design support from BakerHicks and Pick Everard. The scheme has been procured through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework.
Construction of the new houseblock is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, while a separate £70 million fire safety improvement project across the existing prison is already underway and scheduled for completion in February 2029.
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