Plan to expand cemetery

Neighbours have raised concerns over a plan to extend a town cemetery to provide more burial plots.

Evesham Town Council plans to extend the burial space at St Andrew’s Parish Church on land between Pershore Road and the River Avon due to existing cemeteries around the town reaching full capacity.

Neighbours in Pershore Road have said the playing fields are well-used by residents and local wildlife and it would be a “disgrace” if the land is lost for more burial space.

The town council said burial grounds in Broadway Road and Waterside are already surrounded by developments and there is no room to extend.

One objector in Pershore Road said the land provides more for the living than ever it would for the dead.

“The planned burial ground in Hampton is a disgrace, the amount of families that have used the playing field and continue to use the playing field for all types of recreational things,” the objection said.

“It’s always so full of life with people and wildlife enjoying it, the benefits it provides the living far outweighs the benefits it would provide for the dead.

“The church have so much unused land that could be used for a burial site it’s unbelievable you want to take away a very popular playing field.”

Another objector in Pershore Road said: “This piece of land is prone to flooding and when it does more than half of it is completely under water and unusable. I can’t imagine anyone would want their loved ones to be buried in flooded ground much less wade through water to visit them.

“This field is used by so many people every day, people come and walk their dogs, use it for picnics and to for their children to play in. Taking away a piece of amenity land makes no sense particularly after enduring a year-long lockdown where the only thing many people had was a bit of outside space to enjoy.

“Taking it away would undoubtedly affect people’s mental health.”

The plans can be viewed via the planning section of Wychavon District Council’s website. The application number is 20/02442/FUL. Public consultation ends on May 21.