Spalding and District Civic Society has called for a new cemetery to be created for the town to last ‘100 years’ as it opposes extending the current one over a playing field.
South Holland District Council wants to extend Spalding Cemetery over part of the Chiltern Drive Playing Field.
It’s set to put in a planning application for the move, but opponents have stated it goes against its own planning guidance due to the loss of green space. A similar application in 2015 was turned down for this reason.
This time the authority says it will ‘acquire’ an open space in the Wygate Park estate about 30 minutes’ walk away to offset that loss, as well as leaving some of the Chiltern Drive area for play equipment.
But there’s been opposition from nearby residents and the Spalding and District Civic Society is the latest to raise objections calling it a ‘short term’ solution.
“Given that Spalding has seen a lot of growth in recent years, and will see more growth in the years ahead, we call on SHDC to accept that Spalding needs burial space that that will last not just 20 years, but 100 years or more,” the release states. “The proposal does not provide a long-term solution for burials in Spalding. It is a short-term solution, which appears to contradict national and local planning policies and may be refused by the planning authority as a result.
“It should be a matter of public shame that there is now a risk that the current cemetery will be full before an alternative long-term solution has been agreed. Spalding residents deserve better.”
The civic society has also criticised the lack of transparency over the council’s plans for the site.
“Last year the Spalding District Civic Society urged SHDC to properly, openly and transparently engage with key stakeholders and the wider general public and offered to act as a co-ordinating body to bring all key stakeholders together in a round table discussion to air the problem of the lack of available space at the cemetery and to agree a shortlist of alternative options that will ensure that there is sufficient space for burials in Spalding for decades to come.
“This offer was made in an open letter published in the Spalding Voice and by emails sent directly to key local councillors and our local MP.
“It is a matter of great regret that our offer was not taken up. If it had been, then it is very likely that a site for a new cemetery would have been identified by now.”
South Holland District Council says the current cemetery only has enough plots left to last for 12 months.
Coun Henry Bingham, portfolio holder for assets and strategic planning, said: “These proposals are about taking a long-term view to do the right thing and ensure we can continue to provide this vital service for local families.”
