Plans to turn allotments into graveyard 'tragic'

Simka Dunn said people would "really miss" their allotments

Plans to turn plots of land used for growing vegetables and flowers into graves are "tragic", gardeners have said.

Under the proposals, Reading Borough Council said a site on Henley Road would provide about 2,300 new graves.

The land is "reserve cemetery ground", meaning it was only being used for allotments until more burial space was needed.

But those who garden at the site have spoken out against the plans, and the impact they would have on those that use the site for recreation.

Jenny Morgan, who has been growing vegetables and flowers at the site for over 30 years, said: "The potential for it [the allotment site] to all be destroyed is actually quite tragic."

Jenny Morgan has used the allotments for more than three decades

"Many of the people here are of an age that they need to get out and get Vitamin D, and the exercise.

"If they take the land away, the chances are they'll need even more room in the cemetery for those who are no longer active."

Fellow allotment holder Phillip Dunn said: "Once this is going, you're never going to get the land back, and I feel sure there must be better plots where they can maybe have other facilities for the cemetery, that will be better than this small scrap of land that we've got here."

The site is designated "reserve cemetery ground"

Reading Borough Council previously warned the borough would likely run out of room for new burials by 2030.

But using Henley Road allotments would delay this for about 14 years, according to the authority.

Returning the allotments to their "original intended use" was the most realistic and affordable solution, the council said.

A consultation with allotment holders, residents and faith groups is set to be launched, ahead of a final decision in January 2025.

If the plans are approved, allotment holders could be offered rent-free periods until they need to vacate, and assistance if they choose to move their greenery to another site.