Grave concern

5:52am Fri Jul 23, 2010

Tweet

Burial space may not be provided in Southwell under plans being considered by the town council.

Space is running out at the cemetery on Bishops Drive and the council has received notice that the Ministry of Justice will be closing it.

That would leave Southwell’s only burial ground at Holy Trinity Church, which is reserved for those living in Holy Trinity parish or those with close links to the church.

The council has been looking for land for a new cemetery but concern was raised on Wednesday that providing the facility would be very expensive.

Mr Malcolm Rose, chairman of the parks and open spaces working group, said the council had to consider if it wanted to take on the running of a cemetery, particular in the difficult financial climate.

He said no one had offered a suitable piece of land.

Mr Brendan Haigh said they needed to balance the issue of cost against their responsibility to the people of Southwell to provide it.

He said: “If we don’t provide it I don’t see any one else providing one.

“Is it right to tell the people of the town and future generations there is no chance whatsoever of you being able to bury your relatives in your parish?”

He suggested a public meeting to gauge the wishes of the public.

Mr Paul Handley was concerned that as cemeteries became fuller they would charge more for those living outside the parish, which would affect people in Southwell if there was no cemetery in the town.

He said the issue needed to be moved forward as it had been going on for many years.

Mr John Robinson suggested if the council did decide to create a burial ground, land next to the cemetery would be suitable but it was not known who owned it.

Mr Haigh said it would be relatively easy for the council to have a compulsory purchase order issued.

The council agreed to discuss the issue again in September.

Newark Cemetery is the closest formal burial ground to Southwell but Newark Town Council charges more for burials of those who live outside the town.