Staffordshire crematorium proposal gets the go-ahead

Councillors officially agreed to lease land off Broad Lane in Essington for at least 75 years at a meeting of South Staffordshire Council last night.

Previously, residents handed in a 650-signature petition against the plans and 250 people complained directly to the local authority.

They said a crematorium would produce burning smells and increase traffic.

Speaking at last night's meeting, Essington Parish Council chairman Councillor David Clifft, who was one of six councillors to oppose the plans, said: "Is this a need or is it being driven purely on financial reasons?

"We are going to be no better than a developer that wants to develop in the green belt.

"It is valuable green belt land and we can't be seen to be favouring ourselves when it comes to a development in green belt, as opposed to a developer wanting to do the same thing."

Council chiefs say the development could generate £100,000 a year in the first three years, and up to £157,757 a year by the 10th year. No planning application has yet been submitted for a crematorium at the site.

Before any development goes ahead, it will have to be approved by planning bosses.

District council leader Councillor Brian Edwards said 'a number' of companies had already expressed an interest in the site.

He added: "We have had more than one company interested so there will be a competitive process for the person who we would grant the right to a lease."

Responding to claims there should have been a full consultation before the plans went through, Councillor Edwards added: "Going to the people of Essington when they have already stated what they feel, I don't see there was any need or any likelihood of anything different coming out of it.

"They have known all along. They were told by the local councillor what the proposals were."

The 12 acres of land concerned in the scheme are jointly owned by the district council and Staffordshire County Council.

Councillor Clifft said: "This council is quite big on consultation.

"You go on our website and consultation is everywhere.

"But a consultation for the residents of Essington was refused. I find that disappointing."

Councillor Clifft had previously said the crematorium should be focused around Codsall, which he said was more central to the district, rather than in Essington.

The council said it needed to introduce the site to reduce waiting times at crematoriums.

The national average is one week but in the district the current waiting time is three weeks.

Councillor Robert Cope, who represents Featherstone & Shareshill, added: "If I thought there was actually a need for this in the green belt I would be supporting it."