Campaigners are furious that the ashes of former soldiers buried at the site of the DLI Museum will be removed to make way for a new facility.
Planning permission for the reopening of the DLI Museum and Art Gallery was given last month, with the venue to be expanded and include a dedicated space to display key objects from the DLI collection as well as an exhibition centre, gallery and café.
The ashes of former soldiers are scatted and buried around the site at Aykley Heads, and Durham County Council plans to remove the topsoil and preserve it before carefully re-laying it in the new reflective garden area.
But campaigners have slammed the move saying it will unnecessarily disturb the ashes and fear the project has become 'too big'.
Diane Inglis, who is part of the campaign group The Faithful Durhams said: "Nobody knows where the ashes are scattered. They are saying they will preserve the soil and put it in the memorial garden, but some ashes will be disturbed and others won't
"There are some buried in caskets and their locations aren't known. What if they are buried down further than the top soil?
"Are they just going to take the topsoil off in one scoop?"
Campaigners fought for the museum to be reopened after the then Labour-led Durham County Council administration decided to close it at Aykley Heads in 2016, saying there was a lack of interest in the attraction.
They vehemently opposed the decision and campaigned for it reopening, with the new Joint Alliance agreeing to reopen the museum.
But they say the new administration campaigned under the 'guise' of reopening the museum and instead have planned a 'massive art gallery and cafe'.
Diane said: "We understand if there are essential works need to be carried out in an area for things such as drainage but the project has just got too big.
"It isn't essential maintenance for the likes of a play park, new car park, this project was never meant to be this size.
"It is a massive art gallery and café, the DLI has a small portion of the building.
"We have been telling them we are unhappy but they tell 'No, that's it, it is more than you'd get with Labour'."
She added: "They closed the art gallery but nobody came out on the streets for that. They did for the DLI Museum.
"The majority of the group just feel let down."
"It has got too big. The original plan had a café but this has a high end restaurant."
Councillor Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “Throughout the development of the DLI Museum and Art Gallery, we have been working positively with the DLI Trustees, official veteran groups, the Faithful Durhams and visitor focus groups to establish their priorities and create a venue for everyone who wants to experience County Durham’s proud culture.
“We know the grounds have a strong historical and personal significance to many people and, for this reason, topsoil from the site will be removed, preserved, and carefully re-laid in the new reflective garden area.
“The venue will be refurbished and expanded to include a dedicated space for the display of key objects from the DLI collection.
"The upper floor will house exciting temporary exhibitions that will attract residents and visitors while The Story will provide the permanent home for the whole collection, reuniting it with the DLI Archive for the first time since 1998. We look forward to continuing to work closely with stakeholders to bring the DLI Museum and Art Gallery back into use as a community asset and visitor destination.”
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