Bannockburn crematorium plans on display

Developer will hold exhibition at library

Plans for a crematorium on the outskirts of Bannockburn will be displayed at a public exhibition held in the town library next week.

Representatives from Bristol-based Westerleigh Group will be on hand to answer any questions about the project at Bannockburn Library from 2-7pm on Tuesday, June 23.

It comes just weeks after the company, a leading developer and operator of crematoria across the UK, lodged a “planning advice note” with Stirling Council setting out its intent for the exBannockburn Hospital site.

The exhibition will also feature boards showing design and traffic arrangements for the site.

Adr ian Britton, Westerleigh Development Director, said: “Everyone has established that there is clearly a need for a crematorium in the Stirling area, especially given that Falkirk [crematorium] is going to close for a period of time for refurbishment.

“Having this consultation is to establish the thoughts of the local people and based on that we will put a programme together then.”

As revealed last week, Falkirk Crematorium is expected to shut for up to three months next year for a £3 million renovation.

It would mean grieving Stirling area families having to travel to alternative facilities in Dunfermline (27 miles away), Perth (33 miles), Daldowie in Uddingston ( 32 miles) or South Lanarkshire Crematorium in Blantyre (30 miles).

Westerleigh operates 20 crematoria across the UK, including two in Scotland, and has built 13 crematoria in the past 20 years.

Plans for the Bannockburn site include a chapel, a “porte cochere” entrance, offices and administration along with a floral tribute area, a set down and pick up area, plus a Gardens of Remembrance and areas for the internment of ashes.

Parking provision would be in the region of 75 cars, including disabled spaces and staff spaces.

Plans for a crematorium in the Stirling Council area have been discussed for several years following a report in 2007 which showed the need for a facility to serve the surrounding community.

Most recently a proposed crematorium at Plean Country Park was dropped amid faced fierce opposition.

Mr Britton continued: “We first looked around the area in 2005/ 06. We’ve discussed with a number of landowners and the local council and a number of sites have been banded about however it has generally proved difficult to find a site.”

Bannockburn Hospital was closed following the opening of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert and put on the market in 2012.

According to Westerleigh, discussions with the roads department have proved positive for the site.

The company has also indicated that consent has been obtained from the owners of two nearby dwellings in accordance with legislation which states that no crematorium shall be constructed near any house under 200 yards ( 182 metres) without consent.