Cemetery expansion 'essential', says council

Spalding Cemetery was opened in 1854

A Lincolnshire council is exploring ways to expand a cemetery before it runs out of space.

South Holland District Council said extending the cemetery in Spalding was "essential", although it was not possible to know when capacity would be reached.

Environmental tests are being conducted at the Chiltern Drive playing field in Spalding to see if it could be used.

However, some residents said the playing field should be protected as it is regularly used by children, teenagers and dog walkers.

David Jones says the field should remain for recreational use

One resident, David Jones, said: "There are far too many children staying at home and not playing out anymore and if they've got somewhere like this, which is really safe, I think they should be encouraged to come here.

"If it's turned into a burial ground, children will have nowhere to go. They'll be penned in their houses, which is a tragedy really."

Rodney Marks also lives nearby. He said: "South Holland District Council need to look a bit further than using green spaces that we have available for exercise and recreation."

Spalding Cemetery is next to Chiltern Drive playing field

In 2012, a planning application was made to extend the cemetery into the playing field.

An amended application was then submitted in 2014, but more than 100 people signed a petition against the plans. An objection was also made by Sport England.

The plans were rejected in 2015 due to an unacceptable loss of recreational open space.

The environmental tests are now being conducted to see if burials would have an impact on groundwater levels, the council said.

A spokesperson added: "This initial work will run until autumn, and, if the ground is not suitable for such purpose, the process would then stop.

"No decision to proceed will be made without considering all the opportunities, impacts and risks."

The Law Commission - an independent body which reviews legislation in England and Wales - is proposing a widespread change in burial laws.

It could result in existing graves being reused to address national burial space shortages.

The council said it would like to "reach a positive position within the next 12 months to help protect" the service in Spalding.

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