Crem inquiry is under way

Apr 23 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Neston News

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a new crematorium on green belt land in the borough is in the midst of a public inquiry.

The three-day inquiry, which started yesterday (Tuesday), is debating the multi-million pound scheme earmarked for development in Waterworks Lane, Hooton, by the Westerleigh Group.

The company, which runs funeral homes across the country, says an in-depth investigation has revealed there are no suitable alternative sites which would be outside the green belt.

But councillors decided the crematorium would fail to safeguard the countryside from encroachment.

They also said they were not satisfied there was a compelling need for a crematorium at the site and their decision of refusal took account of the possible effects on protected great crested newts there.

Government minister Hazel Blears has taken personal control of the appeal.

She informed Ellesmere Port and Neston Council, which refused the scheme, that she will make the decision herself once the inspector has heard all the evidence and prepared a report for her.

The first two days of the appeal were being held at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall and tomorrow (Thursday) it will move to the Quality Hotel in Little Sutton.

Members of the public may attend the inquiry and give their views.

When the application for the crematorium was initially discussed, around 100 supporters and Hooton Crematorium Action Group protesters attended the planning meeting.

At the time, it was described as “probably the single most controversial application the council has ever had”.

A spokesman for the Westerleigh Group said there had, at the time of the application, been “overwhelming grassroots support” for the crematorium.

He said: “We felt we owed it to the many people in the borough who supported us to appeal against the Planning Committee’s refusal of our application.

“We trust the planning inspector will come to the right decision.”

If approved, the crematorium would provide an estimated 1,260 cremations a year.