Wolverhampton crematorium plan is back on
Plans for a new crematorium on the outskirts of Wolverhampton have resurfaced two years after they were refused.
Dignity UK want to build the crematorium on green belt land near Codsall which was formerly part of the Wergs Hall estate.
In 2015 South Staffordshire Council refused the plans as they were deemed "inappropriate" development for such land.
But the applicant insists there are special circumstances which outweigh harm to the green belt, namely the need for a new crematorium in the area because of an increasing death rate.
The firm, which already owns 44 crematoriums across the UK, is now urging the council to reconsider its stance.
The proposals include a single chapel which would host around six funeral services each day. The nearest existing crematorium is in Bushbury.
A spokesperson for Dignity UK, said: "Plans have been resubmitted but we will shortly provide data from 2015 showing a trend of increasing death rate in the area.
"This data wasn't available at the time of the previous submission and supports our view that an additional crematorium is needed as the Bushbury facility is already one of the busiest in the UK.
"Our proposed development will improve public services by reducing waiting times for funerals and will provide a state-of the-art crematorium that doesn't require any direct funding from local tax payers."
Council bosses in South Staffordshire refused applications for four crematoriums - earmarked for Essington, Perton, Wergs Hall and Four Crosses - back in 2015.
The Codsall scheme would be located between Wergs Hall Road, Heath House Lane and the A41 Holyhead Road between Perton, Codsall and Tettenhall on land currently used for the cultivation of turf. The Grade II listed Wergs Hall is just 400m away.
Councillor John Michell, who represents the Codsall South ward on South Staffordshire Council, said: "I need to know more about how much demand there really is for a crematorium but I am still open-minded on it.
"I was very impressed with the design which I understand is the same as at a crematorium in the south of the country which has won lots of awards."
It comes after more than 300 residents in Tettenhall Regis signed a petition objecting to proposals back in 2001 for a larger crematorium and cemetery within metres of the site.
The plans, which were submitted by a different applicant, were thrown out by councillors.
