Walsall burial ground set for approval despite fierce opposition

The proposed site in Winterley Lane, Rushall, Walsall, is a former limestone mining site and the existing mine shafts will be capped before the site is made into a burial ground – if Walsall councillors give the plans the green light today.

Planning officers have recommended the plans be approved.

This is despite major opposition from residents who say they have been plagued with problems since work to fill and cap the mine shafts began in 2013.

They say they have experienced noise and traffic problems with lorries travelling on Wintereley Lane, which they argue is unsafe because it is too narrow.

A petition against the plans has more than 600 signatures and a group of residents plan to demonstrate outside Walsall Council House at 5pm ahead of the planning meeting.

Nightmare

Resident, Jane Meeke, aged 59, said: "It is a major issue. Winterley lane is extremely narrow, there is a blind bend and a humpback bridge.

"The lorries driving back and forth have rattled houses and we have had to close our windows because of all the dust. It is an absolute nightmare.

"The site looks desolate. We have hundreds of signatures on a petition opposing this- people do not want this."

Ward Councillor Richard Worrall, who is due to speak in the meeting against the proposals, said: "What they have done is created a man-made environmental disaster.

"The site has been turned into an awful moon landscape but it used to be a nice area. I have concerns for residents because the road is very narrow."

But applicants Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd, who first submitted the plans in 2016, have said there is a need for natural burial sites and claim that over time grass and plants will grow over the graves to restore the landscape.

A report to the council from the applicant reads: "The site currently is in a state of development due to the re-instatement works having been undertaken over the past few years and as such has no bio-diversity value.

Restoration

"We have proposed that the site be managed to enhance the ecology and this can only be realistically achieved where income from the site is sustainable.

"The site will be rotationally mown in the areas (phases) not currently used for burial. This rotational mowing allows wild meadow grasses and flowers to establish and birds and invertebrates to breed undisturbed.

"The aim of this development is to maintain a green open space giving access to all.

"Once the restoration is completed, the site will be accessible to the public to enjoy the openness and its recreational value.

"Natural burial is the fastest growing alternative option to body disposal. In the last 20 years over 200 natural burial sites have been built in the UK."

It later added: "As all services will take place between 10.00 and 15.00 there will be no conflict with local traffic during peak periods."

A final decision is set to be made by council bosses in a planning meeting at 5.30pm today.