Crematorium given go-ahead
result in “unacceptable visual and domestic disturbance”, according to residents’ spokesman John Fowler
The site of the crematorium, off the A9 Falkirk Road, he said, was the “biggest single issue for the public”.
Bannockburn councillor Margaret Brisley, who was allowed the address the hearing, said feelings locally were running high about the application and there was a lot of anxiety in the town.
She said the building would be situated on top of a hill in full view and that “no matter what mitigating measures” were taken could the plan be considered appropriate.
To loud applause, she told the hearing: “It may be acceptable to officers but it’s not acceptable to the community.”
There will be an average of four and a maximum of six funeral services per day, 1100 a year, most of which would be expected between 10.30am and 3.30am. The proposed operating hours would include 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no Sunday working.
Councillor Neil Benny expressed concern that the amount of funerals could increase in future should the management of the facility change.
Stephen Butler, of Crematoria Ltd, told the meeting the company had no intention of going beyond the figure of 1100 funerals per annum – and pointed out he had no objection to that figure being written into a planning condition.
He said that should more funerals be required in future, the company would have to come back to the planning committee to seek approval for any change.
Councillor Benny put forward an amendment to the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Douglas Dodds, to tighten up conditions over the 1100 funerals per annum and the hours of operation.
An amendment by Bannockburn councillor Maureen Bennison, seconded by Councillor Chris Kane, to refuse the application on grounds of visual and traffic impact was also put forward.
Six councillors voted to approve Councillor Beny’s amended recommendation to approve the plans and two were against – and six councillors voted to reject Councillor Bennison’s amendment wiht two voting to approve.