Negative reaction to Wolverhampton crematorium plans 'overwhelming', claims MP

An MP claims negative public opinion is 'overwhelming' against plans to build a new crematorium on the outskirts of Wolverhampton - as he reiterated his opposition to the move.

The proposed crematorium would be built on green belt land between Perton, Codsall and Tettenhall near the A41 Holyhead Road.

It would cost £3.5m and host up to 1,000 funerals a year, according to Dignity Caring Funeral Services.

A public consultation was held at Codsall Village Hall last week and MP Gavin Williamson said he was firmly against the crematorium, which also borders Wergs Hall Road and Heath House Lane.

"The comments I've had back after the consultation were of universal opposition," Mr Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, said.

"The chief problem is of the traffic chaos it would cause on the A41.

"There's overwhelming concerns about this having a negative impact.

"It would also cause problems for people in Wolverhampton, as well as in my constituency of South Staffordshire."

No planning application has yet been submitted for the crematorium.

Mr Williamson added: "There's a suspicion that although it's claimed there would be 1,000 funerals a year, the actual number could end up being far higher as most crematoriums do far more than 1,000.

"But he most important thing is that this is on green belt land.

"Nothing has been done to allay my fears from what I've heard so far."

The proposed site would include a four-metre high building and host a maximum of eight funerals a day, although an average would be four a day, Dignity has said.

There would be no burials at the site, which would also include a lake, gardens of remembrance, sweeping driveway and tree-lined avenues.

Residents gave a mixed reaction to the plans at last Friday's public meeting, with one complaining about how people in the community had not received leaflets detailing the scheme or informing them of the meeting.

Dignity operates 39 sites across England and Scotland including in Telford and Kidderminster.

The company says there is a need for more facilities like the one it is proposing to build and it would not be suitable in an urban setting.