Yorkshire town’s cemetery to be extended due to 'urgent need' for burial plots

South Kirkby Town Council has been granted permission to extend the burial ground at Carr Lane Cemetery.

Wakefield Council approved proposals to extend the cemetery into fields to the west of the greenbelt site.

A planning statement submitted by the town council said: “The site is now close to capacity and there is an urgent need for additional space.

“The application proposes the change of use of land immediately next to the existing site in order to meet this pressing need.

“The site is very well linked both physically and functionally to the existing site, and is therefore the ideal location to provide additional space.

“The proposal would secure sufficient burial space to meet the need for years to come.”

The existing cemetery has been open since 1994.

Planned work on the extension includes installing new footpaths to replicate the layout of the existing site, as well as planting hedgerows and a wild flower meadow.

No changes to parking or vehicle access to the cemetery were proposed.

The statement said the extension could generate more visitors to the site, but added: “Such visits tend to be spread out over all times and days of the week.

“The cemetery generally serves the needs of the local community and, as such, many visits are undertaken on foot.

“As such, there would not be any material increase in traffic movements or parking demand as a result of the potential increase in visitor numbers.”

A planning officer’s report said the development was appropriate for greenbelt land.

The officer added: “The proposed scheme represents a sustainable form of development that would not have any unacceptable impact.

“The proposal would deliver a much-needed extension to the existing cemetery, in a manner that is fully compliant with greenbelt policy.

“The proposal would have no adverse impact in respect of visual, amenity, highways and environmental considerations.”