Crematorium to be built at Staffordshire cemetary

An existing building at Burntwood Cemetery - which currently only accommodates burials - will be converted into a crematorium under the proposals.

But fears have been raised by some local residents that the crematorium is too large, there will be an increase in traffic, and there could be pollution caused by the chimney.

The number of parking spaces will be doubled from 20 to 40. The building is currently used for offices and storage.

Lichfield District Council planning chiefs have approved the proposals despite the objections.

Burntwood Town Council has also objected, claiming the plans are 'impractical' and that there will not be enough parking spaces.

A letter from nearby Hammerwich Parish Council says: "The proposal leaves inadequate facilities for the staff and mourners.

"The crematorium requires more facilities and land than the application identifies. This is a 'drive-through, coffin drop off' with no thought to dignity; there is no facility for enclosed storage for the cremator and associated office space and the facility would be only 110m from a school playing field."

And Erasmus Darwin Academy has claimed there could be fumes created by the facility.

There have also been five letters of objection.

Planning officers said the crematorium would have the impact on the area that residents feared.

A report to the council states: "The applicant has stated that the business will operate on an hourly

appointment basis only and at no time will there be a cremation and funeral burial at the same time. However, in order to safeguard amenity, conditions are recommended in respect of appointments and hours of operation, so there is no undue general disturbance or lack of parking provision within the site."

It adds: "I note the comments from nearby residential occupiers and the headteacher and

finance director of Erasmus Darwin Academy in respect of noise and fumes in close proximity to homes, school and playing fields, but given that no objection is raised by Environmental Health, subject to conditions, and that the crematorium will have to operate in compliance with other legislation and licences, I am satisfied that no harm will be caused in this respect."

It comes after plans were approved for a crematorium to be built on land in Broad Lane, Essington.

Essington Parish Council chairman Councillor David Clifft, who was one of six councillors to oppose those plans, said: "Is this a need or is it being driven purely on financial reasons?

"We are going to be no better than a developer that wants to develop in the green belt."

The district council co-owns the site along with Staffordshire County Council and it has been proposed that the 12-acre green belt land would be leased to developers. A petition against the project, signed by around 650 people, was handed into council chiefs as people were worried it would produce burning smells and increase traffic.