Go ahead expected for new cemetery

Oct 21 2010 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANNING permission has been granted this week for a new £4.6million cemetery to be built in Bellshill.

The cemetery will be built on land adjacent to Bothwellhaugh Road.

North Lanarkshire Council, who are the applicants, proposed that the cemetery will have a total potential capacity for 4147 lairs.

No major objections were received over the proposal, paving the way for permission to be granted at a meeting of the council’s Planning and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

A public consultation was held earlier this year at Lawmuir Primary School and only one woman and her daughter noted any concerns.

They believe there may be anti-social activity during the summer months when there will be a higher number of park visitors.

The council took concerns into consideration but believe good design will help prevent such activities occurring.

The proposal has, however, received the backing of Bellshill Community Council.

The community council confirmed in writing that a number of their members are in support and believe it will discourage activities that currently take place in the Bothwellhaugh area.

Ken Forbes, open spaces and cemeteries manager, said: “The council have a duty to provide adequate burial space across the area, and we have an ongoing programme of investment in our cemeteries. However, there is a lack of burial space in the Motherwell and Bellshill area. We identified the site at Bothwellhaugh Road as a potential location for a new cemetery and have carried out consultation with the community.”

Speaking before the meeting, he added: “If the planning application is agreed, it will provide adequate burial space until the 2030s, with capacity for in excess of 4000 lairs. There will be a pavilion with a waiting room, garage and accommodation for cemetery workers as well as car parking.”

The development meets all criteria set out in the Southern Area Local Plan.