Wolverhampton crematorium chiefs rubbish rival site bids

Funeral provider Dignity UK wants to build the first crematorium in south Staffordshire off Holyhead Road in Wergs. The site would include a wild flower meadow and cater for six services a day.

But there are also plans for crematoriums in Broad Lane, Essington, a forest crematorium off Jenny Walkers Lane in Perton, and behind the Truckers Rest cafe on the A5 in Hatherton close to Gailey reservoir.

In a letter to planning chiefs at South Staffordshire Council - who will decide which schemes go-ahead - consultant Mark Alcock for the Wergs scheme promoted by Dignity UK claims the other proposals will not serve enough people.

He said: "We are aware that there are three other planning applications currently awaiting determination in south Staffordshire for crematoriums.

"However, it is our understanding that only one of these other applications are being promoted by a crematoria operator; Westerleigh funerals. The other two applications appear to be speculative applications with no prior experience at building or operating crematoria.

"The need identified by Dignity will not be met by the crematoria being promoted at Hatherton and Essington because of their distance and travel time from this area of need.

"Turning to the Perton site, it is relevant that this site was rejected by Dignity, an experienced operator of crematoria throughout the country. It does not meet operator requirements in terms of access and visual prominence nor does it provide the extensive and material environmental and heritage benefits associated with the applicant's proposals."

The Wergs site was formerly part of the grounds to the Grade 2 listed Wergs Hall, which lies 400 metres to the east and has been met with opposition from residents.

There has also been strong opposition to the scheme promoted by Westerleigh in Essington.

The 11.6-acre site in Broad Lane would see between four and five services a day.

The boss of endurance challenge Tough Guy is behind the plans for the Perton scheme which under plans would be surrounded by 100,000 trees and the profits would be put back into the community.

The Four Crosses proposal would see a crematorium, chapel and a 75-space car park built just behind the Truckers Rest cafe.

South Staffordshire Council is expected to make a decision early in the New Year.

Leader Brian Edwards said the authority would have to look at each scheme on their individual merit meaning, in theory, all four could be approved.

MP Gavin Williamson has described the situation of so many different schemes as 'bonkers'.