Hooton crematorium plan is rejected after inquiry

Sep 24 2008 by Sue McCann, Neston News

PLANS for a new crematorium in Hooton have been turned down by the government.

Richard Evans, managing director of funeral service providers Westerleigh Group, applied to build a multi-million-pound facility in Waterworks Lane, opposite the Hooton park and ride site.

Offering an alternative to Landican and Blacon in Chester, Hooton would have provided an estimated 1,260 cremations a year, seating 96 mourners with another 150 standing.

It would also have had a garden of remembrance, landscaping and conservation scheme and four full-time and two part-time staff.

However, after hearing from hundreds of residents both for and against the plan, Ellesmere Port and Neston Council’s planning committee rejected it in April 2007.

Having worked on the scheme for 10 years, funeral service providers Westerleigh Group appealed to the Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears.

But following a four-day public inquiry this summer, led by planning inspector Mike Moore, both he and Mrs Blears agreed that the appeal should be dismissed.

She said the scheme would have harmed the openness of the Green Belt as it would have encroached into the countryside.

Richard Evans, Westerleigh Group’s managing director, said: “It’s certainly disappointing. In fact, it’s a tragedy for the bereaved.

“They are going to have to continue using facilities which we feel are out-dated and not providing the right levels of service.

“Crematoria are special cases. They can’t be built in town or cities.

“We felt with Hooton there would have been no harm to the environment, no access issues, and it would not have been seen.”

Mr Evans said his company had for the past two years been working on the scheme in conjunction with the borough council.

He added: “Our crematorium could have made a big difference.”.