Town’s new search for cemetery site

The search for a location for a new Rochdale Cemetery is back on, after Rochdale Borough Council confirmed it is currently considering five possible sites.

An original application in 2010 was withdrawn after concerns were raised about the extent to which local residents had been consulted.

The borough's long term future needs, regarding burials have been assessed in detail and as a result, cemeteries in Heywood and the Pennines have been extended. Later this year work to extend Middleton Cemetery will be completed. But the current capacity for new graves at Rochdale Cemetery is estimated to expire from 2012 and the cemetery cannot now accommodate further expansion. It will continue to function for cremations but there will be no new graves.

Five sites which meet the requirements are now to be considered, before a decision is made and one is selected: 

• Thornham Lane, Slattocks, Rochdale
• Wardle Road, Great Howarth
• Bury and Rochdale Old Road/Norden Road, Bamford
• Shaw Road, Buersil, Thornham
• Bury and Rochdale Old Road

The new cemetery site will comprise a small single storey office, a place to hold funeral services under cover, toilets and a car park. The cemetery will also include woodland areas and gardens which can be used by all members of the community. It would be open from 9.00am until dusk each day, with services being carried out during the daytime.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Devolved and Environmental Services said he is confident the proposal will create a peaceful site and can reduce the impact on the local ecology.

He said: “Rochdale Cemetery will be full in the near future, and it is not feasible to expand it any further.

“We have undertaken a comprehensive long term assessment of our requirements across the borough and identified these five sites in Rochdale.

“They fulfil a number of practical and environmental requirements, although we want to listen to the views of local people so they can be taken into account.

“Cemeteries provide an excellent service and are very important places for local people.

“They have a low environmental impact on an area, but we want residents to get in touch with us during the consultation and help us shape the plans.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Environmental Management, said: “These sites have been carefully chosen for their suitability, relating to both the type of land, and its location, but people are of course welcome to suggest other possible sites in addition to these five.”

Residents living in the vicinity of the proposed sites together with people who commented on the original application have been contacted in writing, and a full public consultation is now underway.

People can also have their say in writing, online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/consultations and in person during locally held drop in evenings to be held soon.

To request a printed consultation pack email newcemetery@rochdale.gov.uk or write to Rochdale Borough Council, Environmental Management, New Cemetery Consultation, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancs OL10 2DY

After taking the views of local residents into consideration, councillors will consider the findings when the consultation ends on 31 July and a decision is expected in August 2011.

Construction of the new Rochdale Cemetery would begin early next year, subject to planning approval.