Decision still to be made on plans for crematoriums near Wolverhampton
A decision on controversial plans to build two crematoriums on the outskirts of Wolverhampton has yet to be made – despite a public inquiry taking place nearly a year ago.
Plans for the sites in Essington and Wergs have been in the pipeline for years but a string of legal challenges have forced proposals to be put on hold.
A week-long public inquiry at South Staffordshire Council took place in January to determine if either of the planning proposals should be given the go ahead – but no decision has been made yet.
Former Communities Secretary Sajid Javid rubber-stamped Westerleigh Group’s plans for a crematorium off Essington’s Broad Lane in 2017.
This was despite the plans being refused by South Staffordshire Council two years earlier and a planning inspector upholding the authority’s decision.
Council planning officers also rejected Dignity UK’s proposals for the Wergs site but the company’s appeal led to the quashing of all decisions made by Mr Javid and a public inquiry re-opened on both applications.
South Staffordshire Council has since backed Dignity UK’s proposals to build a crematorium off the A41 Holyhead Road in Wergs – near to the villages of Codsall and Perton. The week-long planning inquiry was adjourned on January 28, with planning inspector David Nicholson compiling a report on the evidence heard, with a decision expected to follow.
But a spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the two cases were recovered by the Secretary of State, with the planning inspector preparing a report and recommendation and the decision now lies with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick.
A spokesman for the government department said: “The Secretary of State has recovered the appeals of the two planning applications and will make a decision in due course.”
During the inquiry, it was heard that thousands of Sikh and Hindu families could benefit as proposals for Essington would include a ‘viewing platform’ for mourners to see part of the crematorium process in line with religious traditions.
The opposing Wergs scheme did not include similar plans but may be able to accommodate certain religious needs in the future.
The Wergs development was expected to ‘relieve’ pressure on both Bushbury and Gornal Wood crematoriums, but plans for Essington would not support increased service in Gornal.
Mr Ian Ponter, representing South Staffordshire Council at the inquiry, said: “There is a compelling need for a new crematorium provision in order to relive the pressure being felt at Bushbury Crematorium.
"Having heard extensive evidence now for a new crematorium proves Bushbury is operating under severe pressure and has done now for a number of years.
"The Essington site does not deliver any other significant benefit apart from reliving pressure at Bushbury. The Wergs proposal delivers environmental benefits.
"In addition, Wergs would relive pressure at Gornal Wood. We invite the Secretary of State to grant permission to the Wergs development.”
