Cemetery with buildings at Land To The South Of Old Peterborough Road, Sutton

“Permission is sought for the change of use of this agricultural land to a cemetery (a sui generis use) for 8,488 burial plots, proposed to be provided over three phases; Phase 1 being 1,626 together with proposed access into the site, carparking spaces, Muslim and non-denominational burial plots, trees, hedgerows, attenuation pond, fencing boundary treatment and buildings. At this time Phases 2 and 3 would be laid to a flowering lawn mixture until required for burials.”

“The development proposes a ceremony building, a maintenance building, the laying out of car parking, revised and new accesses, with piers and gates to the access points, fencing and a soft landscaping scheme that would also accommodate an attenuation pond. Footways and drives are proposed forming a grid pattern to provide access to the burial plots.”

“The application site consists of an open agricultural field of some 8.5 hectares that currently has vehicular access from Old Peterborough Road, and a field access from the corner of Nene Way and the Public Right of Way / bridleway in the southwestern corner of the site. The Public Right of Way /bridleway runs adjacent to the southern boundary of the site.”

“Part of the site houses the location of an electricity pylon, and over ground cables traverse the site on a North/South axis. There are also utility water easement zones in the south-western most corner of the site.”

“The advice provided by officers set out that any application for the proposed Muslim burial site in this location would need to clearly demonstrate to the Council's satisfaction that there is a pressing need and that no other more suitable and sequentially preferable sites are available, including those in a location where more sustainable travel options are available.”

“Also, it was set out that there would be detailed issues that would need to be addressed, including the need demonstrate the proposal is acceptable in terms of its potential impact on traffic/highways, the historic environment as well as its impact on the landscape, existing hedgerows, and trees. The application would need to demonstrate the proposal is acceptable in terms of impact on nearby residents' amenity and an effective sustainable drainage strategy can be provided.”

“Information in relation to burial need had been provided by the applicant since the agenda publication and it was deemed that further consultation for interested parties was required.”

“A motion was proposed and seconded to DEFER the application. The Committee RESOLVED unanimously to DEFER the application to the next meeting of 11 November 2025.”