Green burial plans withdrawn

Controversial plans for a green burial ground have been withdrawn.

The plans, submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council by Southwell Charities For The Poor And Sick Poor, would have seen an ecologically-friendly cemetery created on Cundy Hill, Southwell.

The application attracted criticism from residents, who set up an action group to campaign against it.

The charities’ clerk, Mr Robert Beckett, confirmed the application had been withdrawn, but did not want to comment further.

The cemetery would have had room for 1,000 plots, parking for ten cars, footpaths, a lychgate and a shelter.

Instead of having headstones, families would have been encouraged to plant indigenous species of trees in memory of those buried there and bio-degradable coffins would be used.

After plans for the green burial ground were announced in October 2009 Cundy Hill Action Group was formed to protest against the proposals.

Protesters’ main concerns were about the potential increase in traffic using Cundy Hill and nearby Westhorpe because, they said, the area with popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

They were also concerned that plans to widen the road in places and the burial ground would have a negative impact on wildlife.

The protesters said they were not against the idea of a green burial ground but did not feel Cundy Hill was the right location.

A petition against the proposal was signed by more than 700 people and more than 250 people took part in a walk up the hill in February last year to highlight that Cundy Hill formed part of the town’s heritage trail network.

The action group did not want to comment on the decision to withdraw the application.