Sugar Lane Cemetery: Wakefield’s historic burial ground set to become full within seven years

Sugar Lane Cemetery, which dates back to 1859, could be full by 2032 Wakefield Council has said.

The local authority said it needs to carry out a feasibility study at a potential new burial ground to replace the site Sugar Lane.

The cemetery, in Belle Vue, has served the city for more than 160 years but the council expects it to reach capacity in five to seven years.

A finance report estimated cost of the work at the potential new site, which is not identified in the document, to be around £100,000.

The council has extended cemeteries or explored other potential sites in order to provide new burial plots across the district in recent years.

In January 2023, work began to create 1,000 plots by extending Hemsworth Cemetery.

The council said at the time that the £500,000 project would allow families to lay loved ones to rest in the town for decades to come.

The work saw 1,175 plots formed on 3.4 acres (1.4 hectares) of land bordering the town’s existing cemetery.

In the same year, surveys and drilling were carried at Barracks Field, in Pontefract, to test if it was suitable to be turned into a cemetery.

Gary Blenkinsop, the council’s service director for environment, streetscene and climate change, said at the time: “We need to find more burial space in Pontefract so people can continue to choose to be laid to rest in their town.

“We’re looking at all available land and as part of that we’re carrying out a survey at Barracks Field.”

Cabinet members will consider the report on March 18.

It says: “The council need to undertake feasibility studies for a potential new burial site in Wakefield once the Sugar Lane site in Wakefield reaches capacity (expected in 5- 7 years).

“An alternative site has been identified but feasibility works need to commence at an estimated cost of £0.1m. This will be a revenue cost until the scheme is deemed viable and approved at cabinet.”