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Third set of plans for Wolverhampton crematorium unveiled

A crematorium surrounded by a forest of 100,000 trees could be built on the outskirts of Wolverhampton under new plans unveiled today.

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Plans for the crematorium

The £4 million scheme would cater for 1,000 funerals a year in Jenny Walkers Lane, Perton, and is the third proposal for a crematorium to emerge on the Wolverhampton-Staffordshire border.

Billy Wilson, who runs the legendary Tough Guy assault course, is behind the plans which would cover a total of 120 acres (100 acres of forest, 20 acres of crematorium).

It comes after proposals for two other crematoriums in Essington and on Wergs Road between Tettenhall and Codsall were revealed which have been met with controversy.

Mr Wilson said: "This is the most suitable and most beautiful place in the whole of Staffordshire.

"Around the cemetery we are going to plant 100,000 trees and the crematorium will sit in the the middle of it.

"It will be the most stunning place for this development. It will be like an arboretum.

"There is no one living near it, we have waited until there was sufficient technology so it does not emit high emissions, and all the various impacts have been assessed.

"I believe the best people in the world will come to here to say their final goodbyes. This is my lasting contribution to the community - let's make the best in the world."

Mr Wilson hopes to find a private operator to run the crematorium which would create around 12 jobs and hold services Monday to Friday.

The plans include a chapel with a congregation capacity of approximately 90 people. There will be two cremators, a book of remembrance room, public waiting room and entrance foyer, administration offices, floral tribute area, memorial gardens, 78 parking spaces as well as minibus and coach parking.

A report to planning officers at South Staffordshire Council states: "The principal visual element of crematoria development is now the chapel and not the chimney due to advancements in technology in emission control. The chimney is discretely designed and located and will be only one metre above roof level and will be fully compliant with emissions regulations.

"The chapel constitutes the largest part of the building and will be single storey height with a vaulted ceiling to provide a pleasant light and airy ambience, with significant glazing to the southerly elevation. "This will optimise natural daylight and give strategic countryside views through an existing gap in the woodland enclosure."

The site is located next to Mr Wilson's South Perton Farm and would be accessible via Jenny Walkers Lane.

The report says there is a lack of crematoriums in the region, with none in South Staffordshire with the nearest based in Bushbury, Stafford, Stourbridge and Burton.

"The new facility at South Perton will improve availability and qualitative experience for mourners at neighbouring facilities in addition to providing a more sustainable and attractive facility for the local

population to the proposed site. The modus operandi of South Perton Crematorium will be to hold three to four services per day, allowing at least one hour between services to ease the pressure and stress of

the occasion and allow time for peaceful contemplation following services, moving away from the undesirable 'conveyor belt' impression often experienced by mourners," the report adds.

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