Councillors approve plans to remove footpaths to make more room at graveyard
Councillors have approved plans to remove footpaths at Melton Mowbray’s Thorpe Road cemetery to make room for more burial plots.
We reported in this week’s Melton Times that space would run out at the town graveyard for interments by 2035 and the borough council had considered exploring a new additional site.
Members of the cabinet have now backed proposals to remove ‘a number of smaller, lesser-used footpaths’ to create additional burial and cremation plots and to abandon plans for an extra town graveyard.
The main pedestrian paths and the access road for vehicles will be retained to ensure visitors can continue to access the cemetery safely and conveniently.
New arrangements will also be introduced for the buying of plots, ensuring available space can be allocated fairly and effectively.
Plots will only be available for purchase at the time they are needed, helping to maximise capacity and support bereaved families.
Councillor Alison Freer, portfolio holder for corporate governance, waste and environmental services said: "Thorpe Road Cemetery is an important place for many families in our community, and it is essential that we plan ahead to ensure local burial provision remains available for future generations.
"Without these changes, capacity at the cemetery would become increasingly limited, making it more difficult to meet future demand from local families.
"These changes will help us make the best use of the space available, while maintaining the respectful and peaceful environment for local families to remember their loved ones."
Work is expected to take place next year to remove the footpaths.