More burial plots to be created, pledges council

More burial plots will be provided in Wakefield, after concerns about limited space in the city's main cemetery.

Wakefield Cemetery, on Sugar Lane, dates back to 1859 and is set to become full within seven years, according to a council report.

Opposition leader Nadeem Ahmed, from the Conservative and Independent Group, called for the allotments next to the site to be given priority when negotiating more space for burials.

However, Wakefield Council has instead pledged to consider a range of suitable sites in the city, so options are not limited.

Labour deputy leader Jack Hemingway told the council debate that securing burial provision that met the needs of all communities was being taken seriously.

"There is currently sufficient burial space at Sugar Lane and the council is pro-actively using the time we have to seek expanded burial provision when that space runs out," he said.

The councillor added the process to create burial land was not straightforward, with high environmental requirements now in place.

A finance report, published last month, estimated the cost of the work at a potential new site to be around £100,000, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council has extended cemeteries or explored other potential sites across the district in recent years.

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

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

Hemingway said surveys had also been carried out at a number of potential burial sites in Wakefield.

"We want to ensure that families can choose to bury their loved ones in the towns in which they lived," he added.

"We aim to meet the needs of all faiths, and those of no faith.

"We have already made a commitment to ensure sufficient burial space for Wakefield. I am happy to unequivocally repeat that today."

The deputy leader said the council did not want to preclude other sites that might be more suitable at this stage.

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