Plans to build city cemetery on site of former sports club

PLANS have been put forward to build a cemetery on a former sports club in Coventry.

The plans will redevelop the former Northbrook Sports and Social Club, which had its clubhouse burnt down in 2005 and its pitch left unused since 2009 after its condition slow deteriorated.

The land on Northbrook Road, Coundon, is part of Coventry’s green belt but is considered by the applicant to be a brownfield site due to its previous use.

The applicant’s name has been withheld from planning documents on Coventry City Council’s website, but a planning statement on their behalf reads: “A cemetery is classed as an appropriate use within green belt.

“The proposals shown do not affect the openness of the area and no trees or bushes will be removed.

“Generally people do not want a cemetery as a neighbour - this location is remote, has no neighbours and is screened by surrounding trees and provides a tranquil setting for a cemetery.

“Northbrook Road coped with traffic volume when the sports club was in existence consequently it will cope with the lower traffic volumes expected from this development.” Granting the plan would provide an “urgently required” cemetery for the city, it added.

The statement continued: “The previous use as a sports facility was a community asset at one time however reduced demand rendered it unviable.

“A cemetery is also a community asset and with existing cemeteries reaching capacity is an urgently required community asset.”

The proposal, which would include a car park for 49 spaces, would create four full-time positions.

A decision on the plan is expected early next year.