Burials to go ahead at former nursery

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

By Ben Morgan

A BURIAL space crisis could be avoided after a town hall agreed to free up space for 6,000 extra graves over the next 28 years.

Southwark council’s cabinet approved plans on Tuesday to use a former council nursery at Camberwell New Cemetery, in Brenchley Gardens, to create new burial plots.

The first phase of the plans will involve creating 1,600 plots there by 2015.

Further space will be created there and at Camberwell Old Cemetery, in Forest Hill Road, by reclaiming plots that are more than 75 years old.

The decision means proposals to use part of Honor Oak recreation ground, next to the New Cemetery site, will not go ahead in the immediate future.

People living near Ryedale, which borders the Camberwell Old Cemetery site, gave councillors a report containing 102 signatures, which detailed their concerns about the proposed sites.

They say the plots would be too close to their gardens and their requests for the proposed site to be moved was backed by Peckham Rye ward councillors Vicky Mills and Renata Hamvas.

Cllr Mills said: “Our concerns are for Honor Oak and for Ryedale. Our preference would be for them to be protected for all time.

“I’m concerned Ryedale is scheduled for the short-term burial option.”

Council leader Councillor Peter John requested a further report on the use of land near Ryedale and Forest Hill Road, in East Dulwich, which is due in 2014.

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for the environment, said: “I am delighted that Southwark is now able to provide burial space for the next 28 years and hopefully beyond.

“I understand that this is a very sensitive issue which is why we consulted extensively with our residents and have worked hard to come up with agreeable solutions.

“This isn’t just a Southwark problem, this is an issue that affects councils across the country – there is simply not enough burial space.”

Email: ben.morgan@slp.co.uk

All content © of South London Press unless stated otherwise.

Be the first to comment using the form below.