Plans to build a new 93-cell block at a Suffolk prison have been given the green light. 

In May, the Ministry of Justice submitted an application to East Suffolk Council to build a new cell block at HMP Warren Hill in Hollesley.

Last week the planning committee at East Suffolk Council gave the application the go ahead. 

The new cells will be built to the south of the category C male prison on hard standing land.

According to the planning statement the additional cells will "help to support inmates physical and mental wellbeing through short-term prison population pressures or maintenance and refurbishment projects".

It added: "The proposal does not involve any expansion beyond the existing prison perimeter.

"The installation comprises 93 accommodation cells, with ancillary cells including multi-use areas, stores, staff areas and a servery."

The expansion comes after the government announced plans for Rapid Deployment Cells in 2022 when then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced funding for an additional 1,000 more prison places through temporary accommodation.

This accommodation, Rapid Deployment Cells, will be designed and built to support short-term prison population pressures and maintenance and refurbishment projects.