Plan to turn Legacy funeral home site into garage

A white police van, with yellow and blue decor, outside the premises of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, in Hessle Road, Hull. The large, red-brick building has black shutters, a flat roof and a black and gold "Legacy" sign. White graffiti covers part of the front wall, with more graffiti on a neighbouring roof. Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Police were called to the Hessle Road building in March this year

  • Published

The former premises of a funeral firm at the centre of a major police investigation could be converted into a car repair garage.

Humberside Police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes from Legacy Independent Funeral Directors Ltd, in Hull, following a report of "concern for care of the deceased" on 6 March.

Now, plans have been submitted for a former Legacy site at 171-177 Hessle Road.

The application has been validated by Hull City Council and has entered a consultation process.

At a hearing in May this year, a judge at Hull Magistrates' Court ordered Legacy to be wound up over debts of more than £40,000.

The Hessle Road premises previously housed another funeral service provider, which collapsed in 2021, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Police at the Hessle Road premises during the investigation in March

To date, three people have been arrested in connection with the Legacy inquiry, but no charges have been brought.

Last week, Humberside Police said a 23-year-old woman, who was arrested in March, was no longer being treated as a suspect.

A 46-year-old man, who was arrested on 9 March on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, remains on conditional bail.

A 54-year-old woman, who was arrested in July on suspicion of money laundering offences, also remains on bail.

Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have committed to establishing a permanent memorial for those affected by the Legacy incident.

Comments on the garage plan can be submitted via the authority's website, external.

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