Plan for controversial Staffordshire crematorium returns

The application for a remembrance building, floral tribute area, memorial areas, garden of remembrance and associated parking and infrastructure at Broad Lane, Essington, was refused in March last year.

The proposal was one of four applications to build crematoriums in the area that were rejected on the same night by bosses at South Staffordshire Council over concerns about the need for such facilities, as well as loss of green belt land.

The decision to reject the Broad Lane proposal was set to be appealed by developers Westerleigh Group, according to Councillor David Clifft, who is a member of the South Staffordshire Planning Committee, but never came about.

Residents in Essington reacted with anger to the plans for a crematorium on the edge of the village during a public meeting raising concerns about increased traffic, smoke and the smell of burning.

Councillor Clifft, chairman of Essington Parish Council, said: "I argued that the previous application should be refused, stating it was inappropriate development in the green belt, which was supported by the planning committee.

"I cannot see what has changed with this application."

The original plans were met with huge opposition from residents, with more than 600 people signing a petition.

A further 250 letters of objection were also submitted to the local authority opposing the proposal.

Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, who opposed the plans first time around, said he was 'extremely disappointed' they had been resubmitted.

He said: "As I said last time, this is a completely inappropriate place for a crematorium to be built.

"It has already been rejected once due to concerns over green belt land – and rightly so.

"I am extremely disappointed this has been submitted again.

"It just doesn't seem like the developers are taking on the very real concerns of residents.

"I hope the plans will once again be rejected by South Staffordshire District Council."

The land is owned jointly by South Staffordshire District Council and Staffordshire County Council.

The Essington scheme was eventually turned down on the basis the bulk of its business would come from Walsall, among other reasons.

The original plans included a chapel that could seat 112 people, which has also been included in the new application.

Plans for crematoriums in Perton, Wergs and Four Crosses were all thrown out by bosses, despite recommendation being given that the Four Crosses site, at the Truckers Rest cafe, should be approved.

The council received four objection letters on the grounds of unsuitable location, noise pollution and fears over contamination in a nearby fishing pool, canal and stream in relation to the Four Crosses plans.

Members of the council's planning committee who conducted a site visit believed the land was not suitable to build on due to its green belt classification and the damage left from previous developments constructed without council knowledge.

No-one was available for comment at Westerleigh Group.