Spelthorne cemeteries running out of space

Councillors in a Surrey borough have been told allotment sites could be used for burials because three out of four cemeteries are running out of space.

Spelthorne council said Sunbury Cemetery had room for new burials for another eight years, while Staines and Ashford will be full in 10 years.

It will increase charges to reduce demand and look for a site to use as a woodland burial ground.

It said using allotments would be a very last resort.

Permission needed

A report to the council's cabinet said burial grounds were historically sited next to allotments so that once the cemetery was full the allotment could be put to use.

But permission would have to be sought first from the government.

Staines Cemetery is next to Shortwood North allotments, while Sunbury Cemetery allotments are next to the burial ground.

Ashford cemetery has no capacity for expansion.

The fourth of Spelthorne's cemeteries, at Stanwell, still has 55 years' worth of space.

"The report merely informed councillors about possible limited burial space in the future," said a council spokeswoman.

"Using allotments would be a very last resort and is certainly not proposed now."