500 extra graves as plots run out across Cannock Chase
A cemetery with space for 500 burials is to be built in Norton Canes, under plans to solve a shortage in plots across Cannock Chase.
The graveyard will be built on farmland next to the existing cemetery at St James The Great Church in Church Road under the proposal.
If the plans for the green belt land are given the go-ahead, the burial site will provide plots for the next 70 years.
Cannock Chase District Council responded to a survey saying it has less than two years' left of space for burials.
A full planning application has been submitted to Cannock Chase District Council by Norton Canes Parish Council. The spaces would be provided and maintained by the parish council.
Councillor John Bernard, Chairman of Norton Canes Parish Council, said a public consultation would be held before the site was built.
He said: "People in Norton Canes want to be buried in Norton Canes.
"We are holding a public consultation on February 24 to listen to what the public want."
Councillor Bernard said the parish council precept would increase by five or six pence a week to pay for it.
The new plots will extend to the rear of two properties in Church Vale. Some concerned residents have already opposed the plans saying the site would infringe on the privacy of nearby homes.
If the plans for the site are approved the plots will be created along a strip to the north-west of the church on Church Road.
A new footpath along the length of the new plots will be created.
The earliest date for construction would be early 2016.
In a supporting document for the planning application, agent SJ Whitehouse said a survey of local authorities showed there was 1.5 years of burial space left in the Cannock Chase District Council area.
In November last year, plans were revealed to build a new cemetery between Norton Canes and Heath Hayes that could offer up to 5,000 burials.
Cannock Cemetery in Pye Green Road in Cannock or Wolseley Road Cemetery in Rugeley no longer accept new burials.
The council cemetery in Stile Cop Road, Rugeley, will have capacity for a further seven to 10 years of burials after an extension is carried out.
