New burial ground plan backed near Rowley Regis Cemetery and Crematorium

The new burial space would be created on a site popular with dog walkers opposite the existing Powke Lane Crematorium in Rowley Regis.

And councillors look set to approve the plan at a meeting today for the 3.9 acre site – which is the size of nearly four football pitches.

The land, next to Powke Lane Industrial Estate, has been identified to provide burial space and is just a short distance from the Powke Lane crematorium, which recently had a £1.3 million revamp.

A new car park would also be created to serve the new cemetery, as well as an office building and an operational yard, parking, CCTV and lighting.

However, the land, which is currently open green space, is popular with dog-walkers and the plans have sparked anger amongst locals.

The council had received 23 letters of objection and two petitions containing more than 800 signatures – stating the area is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC).

Locals have also raised concerns about highways safety, a lack of public consultation, opening hours and that the site would become an area for youths to congregate.

Russell Bibb, who lives on Powke Lane, said he felt there were ‘better’ areas to look at for the development.

He said: “The area they are proposing to develop has been a nature reserve for many years.

I feel that we will lose this urban oasis of wildlife. Not only is it also used by many families with young children and I just feel that there are better sites to explore.”

But Rowley Regis Councillor Chris Tranter said: “We need the room to bury people, it is as simple as that.”

Additional concerns from residents include flooding, more traffic, loss of public right of way, and the possibility that the new cemetery might affect the current wildlife on the site, including bats, badgers, foxes, owls and trees removals.

Councillors will discuss the plans in more detail later this year.