St Asaph crematorium 'could deter businesses' claim

Some businesses in Denbighshire warn that a proposed crematorium could deter hi-tech firms from coming to the area.

Plans have been submitted to build the facility on land close to the St Asaph Business Park.

Developer Memoria Ltd says existing crematoria are too far away and struggle to cope at busy times of year.

However a residents' association has been formed to fight the proposals and some firms fear its impact on the setting of the business park.

Prof Stuart Irvine, director of the Centre for Solar Energy Research at Glyndwr University - which has a campus on St Asaph Business Park - said some companies were unhappy with the proposals.

"I am opposed to this plan as it's not consistent with what we're trying to do on the St Asaph Business Park, which is attracting high-value, hi-tech businesses to the area," he said.

"A crematorium will detract from that.

"The funeral traffic will be using the same access road as traffic on the business park, and I don't think it's an appropriate location."

'Lack of facilities'

Memoria Ltd, which already runs a crematorium at Wenvoe near Cardiff, says the development at Glascoed Road would blend into the landscape.

Business development director Jamieson Hodgson said the impact on the business park would be small and the crematorium would be "clearly separated from it".

He added: "Most people access the business park off the A55 or from the east.

"As such, not many people will drive past the proposed site in order to access the business park."

Mr Hodgson added: "The proposed facility is much needed in order to address the gap in service which currently exists within Denbighshire," adding there was a "lack of facilities in the county" which lead to delays at existing facilities at Chester and Colwyn Bay at certain times of year.

But Martin Barlow, chairman of the Cefn Meiriadog and Glascoed Road Residents and Users Group, said there is no mention of a crematorium in the Local Development Plan for Denbighshire.

"This is a crazy proposal which has no basis whatever in need and is completely against Denbighshire's planning policies," he said.

"It will cause irreparable harm to one of the small local communities which Denbighshire's Local Development Plan says it is all about protecting and sustaining.

"There is no crematorium in that plan, so where has the sudden need for it come from, and only 10 miles or so from the one in Colwyn Bay?"

Denbighshire council is due to consider the application in December or January.