The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Shock as old gravestones used as building rubble
Development: Caravan park removes stone workers laid out for extension
There have been horrified reactions after building materials delivered to a north-east caravan park were found to be composed of broken gravestones.
The mound of stone was dropped at Peterhead Lido Caravan Park after the company ordered rubble for building purposes.
A dog walker spotted the pile of broken concrete and chunks of granite this week and, shocked by what they saw, raised the alarm.
Some fragments of the stones bore visible engravings, brandished with nicknames and relations such as ‘granda’ and ‘husband’.
The materials are believed to have been picked up from the back of a skip before being deposited at the park.
The polished granite gravestones date from 1939 to 2007, with many of the concrete bases and metal rods still intact.
South Peterhead and Cruden councillor Stephen Calder expressed his concerns about gravestones being used for building purposes and said their discovery was ‘distressing’.
He said: “Seeing a memorial to a stillborn baby being used as rubble for a caravan park is something I find really disturbing.
“The park owner came to me and asked me what they should do as she had paid for building rubble to be delivered.
“You can see that the stones have been used in a graveyard.
“How do you know they are actual waste and not just evidence of criminal activity when things like that show up?
“On some you can see the names and it horrifies me that these memorials could have been used in this way in a very public area.”
The Aberdeenshire Council planning department said there was no breach of planning terms as ‘inert waste’ was needed for the extension of the site.
It was also confirmed by cemetery landscapers that the stones had been removed legally with the permission of relatives.
Stones are, however, ordinarily sent to landfill sites to be crushed into unidentifiable rocks.
An Aberdeenshire council spokesman said: “We are aware of reports that fragments of gravestones were used to mark out an extension of Lido Caravan Park.
“Planning permission was granted to the operators of Lido Caravan Park to extend the site to accommodate extra caravans.
“It is acceptable for the use of rubble and debris to level out a site, however this is up to the developer to source material from a suitable source.
“We understand that the gravestones and any debris associated have now been removed.”
In a statement on their social media pages, the park’s operators said: “The Lido Caravan Park was not aware of any sensitive rubble or materials disposed of for reclaim and infill works at the Lido.
“Immediate action was taken to uplift and dispose of it appropriately.
“Although not aware of the situation at the time of tipping, the Lido Caravan Park would like to apologise for any upset caused on this matter. A full investigation will take place.”
“On some you can see the names and it horrifies me”