A planning application has been submitted to extend Pateley Bridge Cemetery.
The application, which was tabled to North Yorkshire Council, outlines plans to build new traditional and natural burial sites, ash internments and parking spaces on land adjacent to the existing cemetery.
It comes after land next to the site was last year sold to the former Harrogate Borough Council by Pateley Town Council, after a report revealed it required more burial spaces for the next 300 years.
Following the abolition of the district council, the site is now owned by North Yorkshire Council, but the authority is still required to submit planning applications for its own assets.
According to a design and access statement, which was curated by CDS Cemeteries & Crematoria on behalf of the council, 314 new traditional burials and 48 natural burials would be built at the site.
The plans also show there would be 364 new ash internments, as well as five parking bays – including one for a hearse – and “cycle hoops” if plans are approved.
A visual of the proposed site. Pic: The CDS Group.
The plans also include a proposed two-way access road via the existing cemetery, which is by St Mary’s Church.
It adds the existing cemetery’s footpath would be extended for pedestrian access, and says native hedges, heathers and other bulbs would be planted for “the enjoyment of mourners”.
A new hedgerow with a timber post-and-rail fencing would also be erected to the west of the site boundary.
The grassland on which the extension would be built is currently used for livestock grazing, the application says.
The design and access statement concludes:
“This proposal would deliver a project that would provide essential additional burial provision to North Yorkshire Council.
“The design development has been informed by the sites semi rural and tranquil location and its immediate proximity to the existing cemetery.
“Its landscaping has been designed to provide a subtle yet valuable addition to the locality in terms of increasing the traditional hedgerow features, scattered trees, surrounding heathers and a species rich grassland of particular environmental value is the avoidance of damage to existing trees or vegetation.
“These design considerations thus ensure no adverse visual impact on the surrounding landscape.”
Planning officers will make a decision on the application at a later date.
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