More than 2,000 have a say on rural burial site bid
MORE THAN 2,000 people have registered their opinion – most of them over the last week – about controversial proposals for a new burial ground in Calderdale.
Rest Gardens Ltd have applied for planning permission to change the use of a field north of Slack Lane, Soyland, from a fish ponds and angling facility to a burial ground, including engineering works, associated car parking and an access road within the site.
Following a social media video featuring three men urging people of Muslim faith from surrounding areas including Bradford, Dewsbury and Oldham to support the application, which its makers say is in response to an initial 200 objections to the proposal, comments have accelerated until, by May 12, 1,171 objections and 1,031 supporting comments have been received by Calderdale Council on its online planning portal.
The men speaking in the video say the site would be for people of Muslim faith and it could house 1,665 burial plots which would be freehold.
Many of the objectors raise highways issues, concerns about the suitability of the ground, green belt issues and question its suitability in a rural setting.
Many of those supporting the application say more burial space is needed for people of Muslim faith who have died, the coronavirus epidemic is increasing the need for such plots rapidly and the rural location would minimise disruption to communities.
Ryburn ward councillor Coun Rob Holden (Ind), who is opposing the plans, says ultimately it will be planning considerations that will shape the final decision.
He has requested the application, which Ripponden Parish Council is opposing, should come before Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee for determination whether that is in virtual form or until it can physically meet again.
Coun Holden says the application – initially submitted last autumn and withdrawn – faces objections from key council departments Highways and Bereavement Services which he agrees with.
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