Site is proposed for cemetery extension
IT HAS been proposed that an extension to Loughborough cemetery be built at the top of Allendale Road - at a cost of more than £540,000.
Charnwood Borough Council’s cabinet met on Thursday (October 19) and heard of developments regarding the provision of burials at Loughborough Cemetery and the recommendation to develop a new cemetery site within the town.
Councillors heard that the preferred site to build on is the land off Allendale Road, which can currently be accessed from Highland Drive.
A document presented at the meeting reads: “Loughborough cemetery was originally laid out in 1857 as a 7 acre site and further expanded at the turn of the century to cope with the expansion of the town’s population.
“In 2007 the council became aware of the requirement to secure additional land to form an extension to Loughborough Cemetery, however to date no substantial land transfer or development of an alternative site has taken place.
“A feasibility study was commis- sioned by the council in 2017 to make recommendations on potential sites within the ownership (or subject to developer agreement) of the Council to enable a decision to be taken regarding future cemetery provision.
“The recommended site to take forwards as a potential new cemetery in Loughborough is recreation ground at Allendale Road.
“Outline designs of a potential cemetery space at Allendale Road have been created which would ensure any cemetery provision is matched with a sensitive and appropriate landscape scheme and would provide an area for play and recreation suitable for community use.”
The document states other sites that were looked at as part of the feasibility study were in: Loughborough Road, Shelthorpe Golf Course and Nanpantan Road and it also looked at a ‘Loughborough Cemetery extension’.
The document also states the estimated cost for the implementation of the proposed new cemetery site (including enhanced recreational areas) is £540,892 and it is hoped to be opened in 2020.
The report was approved by cabinet. The next steps are for the council “to do further investigations into the suitability, and detailed design of the potential site and begin a public consultation”.
Following the cabinet meeting, a spokesperson from the borough council told the Echo: “We’re really pleased to be bringing this to the community, it’s a good thing.
“We’ve got a few years until the cemetery reaches capacity, but we need to start thinking now about where to extend it, so we’re prepared for when it does happen.
“This isn’t a new cemetery it’s simply intended to extend existing provision, and we respect that our community needs to be assured that we have thought about it, and we’re already planning for the future.
“We carried out a feasibility study for several areas in Loughborough that could potentially have been developed.
“The study looked at criteria such as the size of the land, type of soil and other geological factors, proximity to roads and residential developments and future planning considerations.
“Allendale Road was decided as the best option because its near to the existing cemetery, it’s got excellent access from the road, it’s screened from properties nearby by trees and it’s on the edge of the town but easily accessible by foot or public transport.
“Part of the plans are also to offer an extended garden of remembrance for loved ones and we already have plans for a play area next to that, which will make this a beautiful place to visit for all ages.”
The full report presented to cabinet can be found online at: www. charnwood. gov. uk/ committees/ cabinet