Government to rule on plans for new cemeteries after inquiry
Government ministers will now make a decision on controversial plans to build two crematoriums on the outskirts of Wolverhampton following a seven-day inquiry.
Plans for the sites in Broad Lane, Essington, and off the A41 Holyhead Road, in Wergs, have been in the pipeline for years – but a string of legal challenges forced the proposals to be put on hold.
At South Staffordshire Council offices in Codsall, planning inspector David Nicholson adjourned the inquiry into the long-running saga and will now compile a report from the evidence he has heard over the seven-day inquiry.
The inquiry has been left open to hear any extra evidence if necessary over the next two weeks.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will then make a decision on both crematorium builds in the coming months.
South Staffordshire Council had previously refused planning permission for both sites – but has now backed Dignity UK’s proposals for the Wergs development, near to the villages of Codsall and Perton.
Former Communities Secretary Sajid Javid rubber-stamped Westerleigh Group’s plans for a crematorium in 2017 – despite the plans being refused by the council two years earlier and a planning inspector upholding the authority’s decision.
Council planning officers also originally rejected Dignity UK’s proposals but the company’s appeal led to the quashing of all decisions made by Mr Javid and the public inquiry reopened.
The latest inquiry had heard that thousands of Sikh and Hindu families could benefit as proposals for Essington would include a ‘viewing platform’ for mourners to see part of the crematorium process in line with religious traditions.
But the opposing Wergs scheme did not include similar proposals but may be able to accommodate certain religious needs in the future.
The Wergs development was expected to ‘relieve’ pressure on both Bushbury and Gornal Wood crematoriums, but plans for Essington would not support increased service in Gornal.
A decision is expected on whether to refuse, approve one development or approve both developments in the coming months and will be published online on the Government’s planning inspectorate.
