‘Beautiful and peaceful’ field could become eco burial site
Plans for an eco-friendly burial site in Headcorn look to be gathering momentum. Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) purchased four acres of land at Redhill Stables, off Lenham Road several years ago.
Since then, campaigners in the village have been hoping to turn the space into a natural burial area, in a bid to cut carbon emissions.
Last night (Wednesday) MBC discussed its review of property assets.
Mark Green, director of finance and business improvement, said: “We acquired the land some years ago to protect it from development.
“It’s basically agricultural land that doesn’t have much value. We’re going out to see if there’s any interest from undertakers.”
During natural burials people’s remains are placed in biodegrable shrouds or boxes. There are no headstones, instead there are trees and flowers.
Penny Kemp co-founder of environmental group Headcorn Sustainability, said: “It would be very good to see this happen. The remains just decompose naturally there’s no cremation, so there are fewer carbon emissions.
“It’s better from an environment as there are plastics in coffins that burn during cremations.”
More than a thousand villagers leant their support to the idea by signing a petition last year.
Fellow Headcorn Sustainability member Sarah Farrow said: “We feel this is a great way to take advantage of a beautiful, peaceful site that isn’t being used.”
A report from last night’s policy and resources committee reveal natural burials could become part of MBC’s own funeral services. It said: “Work will continue to assess the suitability of the site for a natural burial ground.”
The only other natural burial sites in west Kent are in Edenbridge and Otford.