Clarity required on what is a ‘sustainable location’ for local crematoria

Sir, – It is clear from the many recent refusals and subsequent appeals for planning permission for crematoria in our area (two in rural locations in Angus and one on an industrial estate in Glenrothes) that local councils have yet to define exactly what is a “sustainable location” for community assets such as crematoria so that all members of the community can easily access them.

It seems to me that in more rural council areas, such as Angus, locations served by public transport of more than school buses, centrally located for the local population, positioned on major roads connecting local towns and with some form of cycling and pedestrian transportation options would be a workable compromise.

Failing this, the other option that local councils like Angus while now neglected “temporary” outbuilds in South Street have led to the loss of innumerable parking spaces.

As far as can be ascertained, none of these new flats are owneroccupied by permanent residents.

The growth of student and short-term lets, and cost of “developed properties” is tearing the heart out of the community in the centre of town.

Excluding property owned by the university and St Leonards School, of four houses and 24 flats in South Street between Deans Court and South Castle/abbey streets, only one house and three flats are apparently owned and occupied by permanent residents.

So what is the point of a conservation area if the can take to meet their National Planning Framework 4 obligations is to do, as the council in Glenrothes have now done, and proactively signal to all potential developers that community assets such as crematoria do need to be strategically located in truly fabric of the buildings and resident community are not protected?

JM Watkinson. St Andrews. sustainable locations which would then appear to equate to edge of town locations, as with the Perth Crematorium.

I hope for the sake of all, local councils in our area soon provide this clarity.

Ian and Moira Mclaren. Kellas.

History is definitely on their side.

Chris Main.

St Andrews.