Davenham crematorium to be decided on tomorrow (From Northwich Guardian)

Davenham crematorium to be decided on tomorrow

3:00pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News By Emma Rigby

CREMATORIA specialists Westerleigh Group hopes Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) will give their plans the go ahead when they go before its strategic planning committee tomorrow, Thursday.

The plans, which would see the erection of a crematorium building on land just off the A556, on Shurlach Lane, Davenham, have been recommended for approval by planners.

Although the proposal would be a departure from the local plan, planners say the benefits of the proposal outweigh any harm it will cause.

The planning report says: “The social, economic and environmental benefits of the proposals are considered to outweigh the initial and temporary harm to the landscape and on this basis, it is not considered that the proposed development would have an unacceptable detrimental impact upon the wider environment.”

CWAC has received 14 letters in response to Westerleigh’s application, with three objecting to the proposal on grounds including the detrimental impact upon highway safety, light pollution and that the required landscaping would be noticeable and harmful to the landscape.

Richard Evans, managing director of Westerleigh, told the Guardian: “We are very pleased that officers have recommended our scheme for approval.

“We believe that the new proposed site off the A556 is an appropriate position for a crematorium and would offer a far superior setting for funerals to be held.

“There would be very little impact on neighbouring properties as we are not close to any villages or settlements and do not expect our development to be visible.

“I come from the area and know that the needs of the local community have to be taken into account when planning a development of this kind.

“There is no doubt it is needed and local funeral directors and clergy have supported our plans in the knowledge that we are a proven, long term operator who will provide the best possible level of care.”

If Westerleigh’s plans are given the go ahead, and Memoria’s appeal falls in their favour, Northwich could end up with two crematoria, with Memoria planning to proceed with the development regardless of what happens with the Westerleigh scheme.

Westerleigh’s plans will be discussed by CWAC’s strategic planning committee tomorrow, Thursday, at the HQ Building in Chester.