Behind Closed Doors

Parts of a historic former prison in Somerset are to be turned into flats.

Shepton Mallet prison closed and the last of the inmates were moved out in 2013 when this historic building was sold off by the Ministry of Justice.

The developer which bought it has now applied for planning permission to convert the old cell blocks into rows of apartments - 146 homes in total.

Shepton Mallet Prison has a long and varied history. It was the country's oldest working prison when it closed, dating back to 1610, and several of the buildings are Grade Two listed.

The Magna Carta and the Doomsday Book are said to have been stored there for safekeeping in the Second World War, the Kray twins spent time locked up in the cells, and there's even an execution chamber where American soldiers were hanged for murder when it was a US military prison in the 1940s.

There has been some concern in the town that heritage could be lost.

The developers are promising to set aside a handful of cells as a visitor attraction with museum space and a cafe.

Watch the full report from our reporter Bob Cruwys on development plans for the former prison.