Consultation on new crematorium gets 800 responses

About 800 responses have been sent to a consultation about plans for a new crematorium, local planners said.

West Northamptonshire Council wants to build the Wantage Park facility next to a school on the edge of Northampton.

A planning application has now been submitted for the project, which the council says will reduce waiting times and provide a peaceful space for families.

Some local residents in the Moulton area said noise from the school would disrupt funerals and the crematorium would create too much extra traffic.

Plans were unveiled for the site in September in response to what the council described as an urgent need for cremation facilities.

The proposed location is in a field next to the new 1,200-place Northampton School, on the edge of a new housing development and close to Moulton.

The council said the crematorium would be "designed with sustainability in mind [and would] include electric cremators, solar panels and green roofs".

The surrounding area would "feature green spaces and walking paths for the community to enjoy".

The council said its consultation exercise, which included a public meeting, "saw over 800 responses, reflecting the strong local interest in ensuring the facility meets the needs of the community".

Many people responding on social media have been sceptical about the proposal.

One said: "If you think mourners want to hear a school playground on one side and a kids' play area on the other side, and that teenagers at school want to see an endless procession of coffins every single day... you've lost all grip on reality."

Another added: "The traffic is bad there now and the school is not fully open! It would be horrendous with all the funeral traffic as well."

The council said it had worked with transport specialists to design a plan that minimised disruption.

With the planning application submitted, the council's cabinet member for corporate services, Mike Hallam, said: "This is a major milestone for a project that will offer an excellent service.

"As we move to the next stage, we remain committed to working closely with residents, funeral directors and community groups."

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