CAMPAIGNERS met with Braintree Council as controversy over two proposed “mega prisons” continues.

Campaign group SWAP – Stop Wethersfield Airfield Prisons – was formed this month.

They met with Braintree Council on Monday, posing virtual questions regarding the prison proposal.

The plans are for two prisons to be built back to back on the Wethersfield airbase.

The campaigners put forward seven members to pose virtual questions.

Swap chairman Alan MacKenzie said: “It was a great success in that it greatly raised the profile of our group.

“Swap was only formed on December 2, but the council already recognise us by name, and know what we are about.”

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Mr MacKenzie said some members of the council agree the road infrastructure is not suitable for a development of this size, and called on the council to “openly recognise the problems behind the plans”.

He said: “The council has no choice but to recognise this is a problem for a district.

“But they did say that there’s no need for the council do anything because a planning application hasn’t arrived, although I am not sure this is correct.”

“Swap just wants Braintree Council to say that this is a totally inappropriate site, it is a monstrous development which isn’t appropriate in a remote countryside setting with no infrastructure for miles.”

Braintree Council issued a statement, saying: “No decisions have yet been made by the Ministry of Justice on their prison proposals, and Braintree District Council has not yet received a formal planning application proposal from the MoJ.”

“Councillor Butland made it clear at the full council meeting that Braintree District Council has not come to a decision on whether it ‘supports’ the proposed prison or not and given the council’s potential role in any future planning application coming forward, will not have a view until that planning process has been concluded.”

During the meeting, Swap members staged a protest outside the council’s Causeway House headquarters in Braintree.

They will also be holding a demonstration at the green in Finchingfield at 10am this Saturday.