Environment Committee
2ND December 2013
APPENDIX A
FUTURE CEMETERY PROVISION
Background
There is estimated to be around 5 year’s useable space remaining at the current cemetery. There is no
scope for expansion to the existing site due to surrounding land uses.
Cemetery provision within Houghton Regis is an important facility to residents and accordingly to the
Town Council.
A financial contribution is expected from HRN1 & HRN2 towards such a provision but no land has been
allocated within the sites due to the high water table.
Budget
Funds have been allocated within the annual budget for 3 years and again in 2013/14, in total
amounting to £97,414
Future Provision
A suitable site is suggested to be Orchard Close Recreation Ground for the following reasons:
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Proximity to existing cemetery
Compatible land uses
Quiet location
Suitable land layout
Orchard Close recreation ground is owned by HRTC.
The site historically provided an adult football pitch until 2012 and during 2013 it provided a cricket
square. The square has been used by a club who have so far played out of league, although they have
aspirations to join in the future.
Alternative sites for a new cemetery have not been identified.
Preliminary Planning Advice (CBC)
“This site appears suitable for the proposed use and, as you say, would be compatible with the
surrounding land uses. A cemetery use may therefore be acceptable in principle. The site is currently laid
out as a small cricket field with a small children's play area. As there would be no replacement
recreation land, I would initially query what would happen to the displaced sports use and whether a
cemetery use would mean the loss of an important local recreation site. The Town Council would need
to provide further reassurances to address this potential concern if progressing this proposal further.”
Environment Committee
2ND December 2013
APPENDIX A
Thoughts on Preliminary Planning Advice
It is regrettable that informal recreational open space would be lost in this area; however the land is
adjacent to Dog Kennel Down and on the other side of this is the new area of public open space along
the former railway line. In addition Houghton Regis Quarry is planned to be developed further for
informal recreational use.
The site is larger than the existing cemetery and there is scope for planning a new cemetery to gradually
increase in size to retain informal open space for as long as possible.
The Town Council has historically been supportive of providing sports provision and has often expressed
a desire to enhance sports provision, especially for sports other than football. The cricket club has been
using the site for 1 season and reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate them elsewhere.
Options for relocating include:
Tithe Farm recreation ground – grounds team have expressed concerns over potential game disruption
Parkside recreation ground – space restrictions would result in the loss of a football pitch
Moore Crescent recreation ground – insufficient car parking and pavilion space, as playing season would
coincide with that of the Bowls Club.
Windsor Drive recreation ground – subject to land measurements there is the scope to provide cricket
on this site although it would require car parking and a pavilion
Land adjacent to HR Leisure Centre – this option has been briefly discussed at an officer level with CBC.
There is an historic square which could be brought back into use. Changing could be provided within the
Leisure Centre, or should this be required for other uses, new changing provision could be provided on
the open space. There are issues around longer term plans for this site and indeed the leisure center
itself, which may prove a barrier. However it may well offer a good, although possibly interim, solution.
Generally the perception is that this site has the potential to be used to a greater extent (football,
cricket etc) and the Town Council, subject to additional resources, is in a position to manage this type of
facility.
The Town Council needs to consider to what efforts it is reasonable and appropriate to go in order to
maintain provision for a club which has been using HRTC facilities only a short time.
Local consultation
Letters advising of this report were circulated to residents of Dunstable Road and Cemetery Road, to
Westbury Close businesses and to the cricket club. Notices were also placed on the recreation ground
itself. At the time of preparing this report no responses had been received.
Environment Committee
2ND December 2013
APPENDIX A
Summary
A new cemetery is a critical facility within HR and the Town Council must ensure it does all it can to
achieve this. Orchard Close is the only practical option. Displacement of the cricket club is disappointing
although the land at the Leisure Centre does provide an option. Given the timescales indicated it is
suggested that the establishment of a new cemetery on Orchard Close should be progressed as soon as
possible and whilst this is happening formal representations are made to CBC to try and establish cricket
on the Leisure Centre site.
Additional Points
In addition to the budget outlined the Council has a deferred income of £315,159 for sports and
recreation provision.
This project is included within the Town Council Vision as a priority for HRTC.
This project is significant for the Town Council and will require expertise in delivery from the planning
stages through to implementation.
Preliminary Professional Advice
Planning for a change of land use, or an extension to a current cemetery, may raise issues from
surrounding land users which will come forward as part of the planning process.
In addition the Environment Agency under the Groundwater Regulations 1998 have powers to take
action where ground water pollutions occur and measures to prevent pollution must be appropriately
considered given the sensitivity and nature of cemeteries. The EA has a duty to protect the quality of
surface and groundwater resources under The Water Resources Act 1991. Although this only gives them
limited powers to control such developments directly, the EA can require a whole raft of information,
the quantity all depending on the selected site and its history, location, size, interment annual numbers,
vicinity to Source Protections Zones (SPZ) etc.
At the minimum a Preliminary Risk Assessment/Phase 1 Desk Top Study will have to be provided. Then
with the possibility of having to also provide the following: Phase 2: Site Contamination Assessment: - Boreholes, sampling, chemical analyses and reporting:
Phase 3: Remediation Options Appraisal & Method Statement
Phase 4: Remediation Supervision & Verification
The Local Planning Authority is the principal body controlling such developments under the Town &
Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Compensation Act 1990. The only means of control is
through conditions set in the Decision Notice, an obligation (agreement or undertaking) under Section
106 of the 1990 Act, or ultimately by refusal or planning permission.
Environment Committee
2ND December 2013
APPENDIX A
Initial professional support to provide a Site Contamination Assessment and a Preliminary
Environmental Risk Assessment (PRA)/Phase 1 Desk Study Report would cost £3,250.
Recommendation:
1. To seek to develop a new cemetery on Orchard Close Recreation ground;
2. To appoint consultants to undertake the work required for a Site Contamination Assessment
and a Preliminary Environmental Risk Assessment (PRA)/Phase 1 Desk Study Report.