Crematorium plan put back on table in Burntwood
A fresh bid to build a crematorium near to a school has been put forward – despite previously being thrown out.
It is the second time permission has been sought to add a crematorium to Chase & District Memorial Park on the Burntwood Way site in Burntwood.
The first application was made by Midlands Funeral Directors in 2014, which was rejected after a judicial review due to concerns over a lack of parking, the close proximity of the Erasmus Darwin Academy and the impact on the Green Belt.
But Aspire Memoria Ltd, which has put in the latest plans, say there is no need for additional parking insisting it would be a 'positive' for pupils at the academy, which is around 250 metres away, and could even be used as a teaching aid around the experiences of death.
Plans would see an existing building at the site altered to become a crematorium.
It comes after cemetery chiefs gained permission to introduce a mausoleum at the site by successfully appealing the council's refusal of the scheme.
A statement from Robinson Lloyd Architecture (RLA) speaking on behalf of the owners, said: "The current application relates to a change of use from a cemetery building to a crematorium, however this is not a crematorium in the traditional sense but a facility offering 'direct cremations'.
"There are a limited number of these facilities available in the UK and discussions with local firms of funeral directors confirmed that this facility would be well used.
"In addition, the site owner has non-local contacts who require direct cremation services."
A previous bid for a crematorium at the site had three large flues rising 4.6 feet (1.4metre) above the building however bosses say this scheme simply involves a single flue which would only extend 1.3 feet (40cm) above the roof.
The consultants have declared there will be no need for extra parking with less than six additional vehicle movements a day anticipated.
RLA said being next to a school could be a good thing.
It said: "If we allow children to talk about death, we can give them much needed information, prepare them for a crises and support them when they are upset."
Lichfield District Council has set a date to determine the crematorium bid by September 15.
