Plans for 20,000 plot natural burial ground
GoogleA "natural burial ground" containing about 20,000 plots could be built, if plans are approved by a local authority.
Forever Green Fields has submitted the application to Gateshead Council for the site between Crawcrook and Prudhoe, on land north of Hexham Road near Bradley Hall Farm.
Natural burial grounds, which are different to more traditional cemeteries, require bodies to be buried with biodegradable coffins and without embalming treatments, the plans said.
In its application, the company said the plots were needed because "burial space in the UK is becoming scarce at an ever-increasing rate".
It citied figures from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICM), which it said had "estimated that within the next five to 10 years, 30% of UK local authorities will have run out of burial space."
"These calculations only consider current rates of burial and do not allow for the increasing number of total deaths arising from the nationally expanding population and ageing population nor shortages of burial space in neighbour council areas," the application added.
The plans state the new grounds would contain between 18,871 to 22,287 plots, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
They also said natural burial grounds "promote natural landscape" by using native foliage to encourage habitats for wildlife, and use natural memorials such as trees or wooden markers.
Four similar burial grounds have opened in the North East over the last 20 years, the application said, which are located at:
- Seven Penny Meadow, Durham
- Belsay Woodland Burials, Northumberland
- Northumberland Woodland Burials, Northumberland
- Blue House Woodland Burials, Durham
Gateshead Council received the application on 24 April, which is awaiting a decision from council planners.