Plans for a crematorium in Brereton that could “drastically reduce” travel times and provide a “quieter, more local choice” have been recommended for approval – despite objections from the parish council and some residents.
Congleton Crematorium Ltd is seeking permission for the building, together with a parking area, on a field at the junction of the A534 and Pitcher Lane (the lane just after the big bend on the Sandbach road after crossing the link road roundabout).
Parking would be provided for 92 vehicles and 14 bicycles, and access would be from the A534.
As we reported last year, developer Elegy pointed out that residents currently have to travel to Macclesfield Crematorium or further afield to Bradwell (Newcastle-under-Lyme), Crewe or Northwich.
This usually means a journey of 30 minutes or more for a funeral cortege, “an excessive amount of time when compared to elsewhere in the country, adding further distress and anxiety at the most difficult of times”, the planning application stated.
Residents in Biddulph and surrounding towns were “similarly poorly served”, it said.
Referring to the history of existing crematoria in the region, Elegy said both those in Macclesfield and Crewe were converted from Victorian burial chapels in the 1950s and were “tired and outdated, unable to meet modern expectations”.
It said that Macclesfield’s was “busy”, holding on average seven to eight funerals per day, “and is often described as a conveyor belt experience”.
Added Elegy: “Its antiquated layout, which was never designed for cremation services, adds to the congestion and overlap of funerals.”
The application said that existing crematoria were operating above their core capacity — “core” defined as funerals held at preferred times.
Macclesfield Crematorium was at 117% of core capacity, Birches at Northwich at 110.5%, Carmountside in Stoke at 100.4%, Bradwell, also in Stoke, was at 97%, and Crewe at 73.5%. These figures were based on current service intervals.
If local authority crematoria (Bradwell, Carmountside, Crewe and Macclesfield) were to offer 60-minute services to improve quality, it would reduce availability and increase delays between death and funeral, the application said.
A projected 23.4% increase in annual deaths by 2047 is expected to further strain capacity.
Reducing service intervals to increase availability would affect service quality. Currently, Bradwell offers 40-minute intervals, Carmountside 30 minutes, and Crewe and Macclesfield 45 minutes, with only one 60-minute slot daily. Birches and Vale Royal offer 60-minute intervals.
A report from Cheshire East’s case officer to yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) meeting of the Strategic Planning Board said: “A building with a linear form, including a ceremony room with seating for 100 people, would be constructed to the south of the parking area… “To the south of the building there would be a memorial garden area, with pathways and areas of planting, including a proposed artwork with manicured planting to provide a focal point.”
Objected
Brereton Parish Council has objected to the proposal saying: “While the council is sympathetic to the need for a crematorium in the area, the proposed application is in open countryside and it was felt there were better sites that could be identified within the boundary of the town of Congleton.”
Cheshire East received about 65 representations from the public.
The report said: “Objections have been made on the basis of highway safety, highlighting the A534’s accident history and the suitability of Pitcher Lane and Walhill Lane for additional traffic.
“Some representations also argue the scheme represents inappropriate development in open countryside, conflicting with Brereton Neighbourhood Plan policies, and raise issues around landscape harm, flood risk, ecology, and mineral safeguarding.
“Letters have also challenged the applicant’s need case, suggesting existing crematoria have capacity.”
The report from the case officer added: “The applicant has stated in their statement that the site will provide direct employment for the construction phase and during its subsequent operation; and other local businesses and services such as funeral directors, florists, celebrants and the hospitality industry will also benefit from the proposed development.”
With regard to the site being in the open countryside, the report said there must be an “essential need” for this type of facility to justify it.
“The application has demonstrated that there is a need for new crematoria places and has shown that steps have been taken prior to submission to identify other possible suitable sites but that this site is the only realistic option in light of the requirements of legislation and the availability of land,” it said.
Improve
Undertakers who were contacted by the applicant all supported the new crematorium.
Alan Finneron of West Street, Congleton, said: “I have worked in the funeral profession in the Congleton area for the past 35 years and believe that this is a much-needed facility and will significantly improve the welfare of bereaved families.”
Larvin and Clegg Funeral Care, Antrobus Street, called the proposal “necessary,” while Joseph Edwards and Sons, Alsager, said it would “make a meaningful difference”.
Williams and Lowe in Sandbach described it as “an excellent facility” and “a huge benefit to our Sandbach community.”
Claire Copestick of John Garside and Son agreed that more capacity was “desperately needed,” while Dolven Funeral Services, Biddulph, said there was “an urgent need” for better provision in this part of Cheshire.
Support also came from clergy and celebrants.
The Rev Ian Enticott, rector of All Saints Church, Congleton, said: “There is a great need for a modern facility close by the town.”
Undertakers also highlighted the burden of travel to the current crematoria.
Three Shires Funeral Services said families from Congleton often faced 30–35 minute journeys to Macclesfield, which they found “arduous” during grief. Northwich crematoria offered better standards but required 40-minute journeys, often involving congested M6 crossings.
Joseph Edwards and Sons noted that Crewe Crematorium, though nearest, remained “unwelcoming and dated.”
Carmountside is 45 minutes away and was rarely used by Alsager families, the firm said.
Williams and Lowe said Bradwell and Macclesfield were “instantly dismissed” by clients as too far and “unpleasant”.
Richard Evans, Elegy’s managing director, said when the plan was announced: “The new service at a modern facility at Congleton would drastically reduce travel times and provide a quieter, more local choice.”
A minimum of an hour will be allowed for each service.
Added Mr Evans: “State-of-the-art facilities will enable each family to have a funeral of their choice, free from the pressure of others.” Mr Evans has over 30 years’ experience working in bereavement and oversaw the development of Vale Royal Crematorium in Northwich, which held his parents’ funerals.
With several family members living in the Congleton area, he said he was “determined to offer something better for this side of Cheshire”.
“There is an urgent need to provide a new purpose-built crematorium to serve families living in Congleton, Biddulph and surrounding communities,” he said.
“Our aim is to relieve pressure on existing facilities and to offer a quieter, more dignified setting for local families to hold a personal service closer to home.”
The “low profile” building would “sit down into the slope of the field” and will be screened on all sides with trees, hedgerow and extra planting so that it blends into the countryside.
Mr Evans continued: “We plan to create a beautiful, natural setting for funerals. The development will enhance the existing landscape with extensive extra planting of trees, flowers, hedgerows, shrubs and a wildflower meadow.”
(Local democracy reporter Belinda Ryan contribute to this report).
