£3.5m build cost for Wolverhampton crematorium

This is the first look at the designs for the site between Wergs Hall Road, Heath House Lane and the A41 Holyhead Road between Perton, Codsall and Tettenhall.

Dignity Caring Funeral Services is behind the plan, which comes more than a decade after a similar scheme for a crematorium and cemetery by another developer was thrown out following a public outcry.

More than 50 residents turned out for the first consultation meeting over the new proposal at Codsall Village Hall.

They heard how the planned four-metre high building comprising one chapel and crematoria would host a maximum of eight funerals a day, although an average day would see four services held. There would be no burials at the site, which would also include a lake, gardens of remembrance, sweeping driveway and tree-lined avenues.

Dignity's planning consultant Patrick Downes, from Harris Lamb, said: "This is the first public consultation that we have held. There has been a mixed reaction. Some people oppose it while some think it's OK.

"Some are questioning why we've picked this area but there are quite strict rules about where crematoriums can be built. It would not be suitable in an urban setting. There is a need for more facilities of this nature."

He added that emissions at the site will be subject to strict national regulations.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson has already described the idea as 'barking mad' idea and called on planning chiefs to reject it.

Oaken resident Beverley Jenkinson, a 51-year-old administrator, attended the meeting.

She said: "I was very surprised to see this sort of application come back after a previous scheme from years ago didn't get off the ground. My first concern would be about traffic and access to this site which is off the busy A41. But having looked at the plans I can see that they are intending to build a new access lane and the existing stone wall will be removed and a new one put up quite a few metres back if it does go-ahead.

"Then there is the problem of the construction work. I am concerned about the length of time it would take and the resulting traffic diversions that residents in Codsall and Perton would have to endure.

"But overall the designs look fine to me."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said many people in the community had not received leaflets detailing the scheme - or even the meeting.

"Many of us were extremely annoyed and frustrated by this," she said.

Dignity operates 39 sites across England and Scotland including in Telford and Kidderminister.