Cemetery extension at Shacklegate Lane Allotment, Teddington

What was proposed

The application sought to change allotments into a cemetery extension with hearse parking, paths, planting, landscaping and community planter boxes.

“The application is for the change of use from allotments to cemetery use, including hearse parking bays, soft landscaping, planter boxes and other planting. The development would comprise an extension to the existing Teddington Cemetery and will rely on the existing cemetery facilities.”

“The application is for the change of use from allotments to cemetery use, including reinforced grass hearse parking bays (3no.) and pathways, soft landscaping including perimeter hedgerows, planter boxes and new tree planting - 5 new trees 5m max dia.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The approximately 1.1-acre allotment site adjoins the existing cemetery and residential properties, and is designated as Other Open Land of Townscape Importance.

“The site comprises an area of land currently used for allotments, which is approximately 1.1 acres. The existing allotment site is accessed via an existing pedestrian/vehicle gate from Shacklegate Lane, which also includes a vehicle crossover. The application site includes the access road to the cemetery approved under 93/0041/FUL.”

“The subject site and Teddington Cemetery are both designated as Other Open Land of Townscape Importance.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

A 1993 permission allowed the land to become a cemetery extension, and officers considered that permission likely remained capable of implementation.

“93/0041/FUL – Change of use from allotment site to cemetery extension including additional access road onto Shacklegate Lane – Granted permission on 2 April 1993. Extract of approved plans are provided below:”

“This permission granted consent for the change of use from allotments to cemetery in two phases east and west of a new central access road/junction. The access road and junction are formed and Phase 1 in use as a cemetery. Phase 2 of this application is the same land as comprises the subject application site, plus the constructed access road.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Residents objected to losing allotments and raised concerns about funerals, traffic, amenity, security, biodiversity, flooding and alternative provision, while consultees raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Increase in gatherings requires extra resources to police them • Local residents would like allotment to remain • Impact to Land is designated as Other Open Land of Townscape Importance • Traffic and Parking o Impact from large funerals/visitation/maintenance o Reduced parking availability/inadequate parking available at cemetery o Roads blocked/traffic congestion/blocked pathways o Impacts especially on weekends/holidays o Impacts to access to area for emergency services o…”

“Biodiversity, wildlife, trees o Allotment terms and conditions set out preserving wildlife and biodiversity as a secondary purpose of allotments – loss of this function o Development needs to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain consistent with policy o Conversion of established green space, tends to cause loss unless mitigation o Damage environment/habitat loss o Allotments provide fantastic biodiversity o Loss of trees, bush areas, greenery and biodiversity o Work should…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Four people spoke against the application, while an agent, the applicant and another agent supported it; three councillors spoke as interested councillors.

What members considered

Members considered the site’s history, existing permission, allotment provision, burial shortages and the need to preserve a local choice of burial.

“The Committee discussed the application, taking into account the history and location of the site, relevant planning history including the extant permission for change of use on the site, as well as allotment provision within the borough and the shortage of burial plots at the site as well as limited future capacity of burial plots within the borough more generally.”

“Members considered that whilst alternative provision to burial should be considered, with guidance and legislation due imminently in this regard, the authority had a responsibility to ensure that there was sufficient capacity for an individual to be able to choose to be buried in the borough and locality that they may have lived their whole life.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved planning permission with the conditions listed in the officer report.

“Official RESOLVED that the Planning Committee APPROVED planning permission with conditions as listed in section 10 of the report. A full explanation of the officer recommendation is identified in section 8 of the report.”

Minutes