Controversial Essington crematorium closer to reality

Council chiefs have agreed to lease land off Broad Lane in Essington for 75 years.

No planning application has yet been submitted for the crematorium, opposition to which has already prompted a 650-signature petition from residents who claim that the development will result in burning smells and an increase in traffic. Some 250 people also complained directly to the local authority about the plans.

The development would be built to reduce waiting times for cremations in the district and would cater for 1,600 cremations each year. Bosses hope £100,000 could be made from the site each year.

At a meeting of South Staffordshire District Council's cabinet yesterday, council leader Brian Edwards said three firms were currently interested in bidding to take over the site. He said:

"This is all still subject to planning approval. We've been approached by three separate companies to enter into a lease. The people who wish to put in a planning application will be subject to a tendering process.

"Ninety nine per cent of objections were to do with planning."

Sites have opened in Great Wyrley and Wombourne in the past four years and plans for a 30,000-plot cemetery in Bursnips Road, Essington, have been approved but the soaring demand has remained. Proposals are also in the pipeline for a 4,000-plot burial ground in Corser's Rough, Perton.

The waiting time for cremation services in South Staffordshire is currently around three weeks – with one week being a typical national average. Councillor David Clifft, chairman of Essington Parish Council, recently labelled the development as 'unnecessary'.