Al Fayed widow loses crematorium court battle

Her challenge was unanimously rejected by the Supreme Court

Mohamed Al Fayed's widow has lost a Supreme Court challenge against the government over plans to build a crematorium near her home.

Heini Wathen-Fayed's barristers argued in the courts the building in Tandridge, Surrey, would breach a more than 120-year-old rule that says a crematorium cannot be built within 200 yards (180m) of a house.

They argued the memorial garden of the new building, and any other place where ashes would be stored, should be included in the definition of a crematorium.

But the High Court and Court of Appeal both ruled against her in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Lady Justice Andrews stated last year she could see "no reason" why the law should be interpreted to include "an open area where ashes are strewn".

Five Supreme Court justices unanimously dismissed Ms Wathen-Fayed's latest challenge on Wednesday.

The plans, proposed by Horizon Cremation Limited, would see a ceremony hall, memorial areas and a garden of remembrance built on land near the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tandridge District Council rejected the scheme, but a government planning inspector allowed Horizon's appeal against that decision after finding harm to the green belt was outweighed by the site's benefits.