Work begins on ‘ above ground’ Troon cemetery
The T dead are to be given the option of staying above ground ra rather than six feet under.
Diggers have now moved in to create the extension to Troon Cemetery. C
And some buried concrete to tombs have already been set in th the ground.
We revealed the solution - th the first planned in the area - for th the difficult patch of ground th that was previously a council ya yard and open space.
Bedrock is too close to the su surface to meet new cemetery w water pollution rules.
Now it has emerged there will w be given a choice.
Councillor Peter Convery sa said: “A concrete lair has just b been put into the Ayr Cemetery extension at Holmston.
“The hydrology there is actually not as bad as Troon.
“In Troon people will be given the choice of overground or underground.
“Obviously if it is solely overground there won’t be the opportunity to have multiple burials in the same plot.”
The area has been sealed off with fencing and a hole punched through the hedge to the old cemetery.
Last February we revealed latest environmental rules forced South Ayrshire Council into a corner on newly consecrated ground in certain areas.
Families will have the option of building the sealed tombs skyward for more and to enclose ashes if they wish.
Council cemeteries boss Mike Newall said there was “huge demand” for burial space when he addressed Troon Community Council.
He said cemeteries now have to comply with new ground water rules and the Troon site of bedrock, sand and an old well requires concrete.”
The concrete burial chambers are water and air tight and SEPA has given permission for their use.
Despite the extra expense of the concrete, plots will initially be the same price as an earthen chamber. The old mortuary will be saved and the site will have space for the next 30 years.