Graves would 'contaminate' water if cemetery grows

New potential sites are being explored to meet demand for burial space

Plans to expand a cemetery have been dropped after surveys found that additional graves could "contaminate" the local water supply.

Rotherham Council has cancelled the creation of 550 new burial plots at Herringthorpe Cemetery after contractors Dignity conducted borehole testing at the site.

The graveyard only has enough capacity for another five years of interments and the decision has been met with dismay by the Muslim community.

More than 100 plots had been allocated for Islamic burials under the proposal.

'Tailspin'

The Local Democracy Reporting Service obtained confirmation of the scrapping of the scheme from Dignity, which operates the cemetery on behalf of the council.

Their testing found that "containments" from tombs could find their way into the water system.

The results of the investigation meant that the Environment Agency withdrew support for the planning application.

Dignity said that two "alternative areas" of the cemetery had been identified and would be surveyed for potential expansion.

At a recent meeting of the council's cabinet, one member of the public said the decision meant 116 new plots in the Muslim burial area would not be provided.

He told councillors that the news had sent the Muslim community into a "tailspin", adding that it had caused elders stress, pressure and anxiety.

“We, as Muslims, believe that our final destination, the grave, is the final resting place. Therefore, the duty is on you guys to provide that space,” he added.

Councillor David Sheppard said he was dismayed and angered at the plans, and Philip Horefield, the council’s legal representative, said the authority was already "taking action".

Councillor Chris Read, leader of the council, added, “Dignity have a contract to provide a service through the council, to the people of Rotherham.

“If they’re not delivering that service, they won’t be providing that service any longer.”