A new hall of remembrance to host funerals is set to be built at an expanded cemetery. Bolton Council want to construct the single storey building within the grounds of Heaton Cemetery, on part of the grounds accessed from Overdale Road at what is commonly known as the ‘New Overdale Cemetery’.
The council said this part of the cemetery site is in the early stage of use, but the land, along with the internal road and pathway layout, has been set out to allow for expansion and additional burial plots.
Planning documents submitted in late December, said: “Taking in to account the existing use of the site, and giving consideration to the future needs of the community, the requirement for a ‘hall of remembrance’ building has been identified.
"The building will be simple in its form, and will provide a place of shelter to accommodate mourners and hold small prayer services.”
A previous approval for a similar building was granted in March 2019 but that has now time lapsed. The orientation and scale of the latest application differs slightly from that application.
The report, added: “The site to which this proposal relates is situated at Heaton Cemetery. The established part of the cemetery is accessed of Gilnow Road.
"The site to which this application relates is separate to the main cemetery and is accessed off Overdale Road, accessed off Chorley New Road, which is the main road running out of Bolton towards Horwich.”
The site is also adjacent to the existing Overdale crematorium. The site is not designated as greenbelt, but as ‘protected open land’ so the council said the building has been designed to minimise impact on the surrounding area.
The area at the rear of the building would be developed as a planting and woodland area, creating screening around the building and to the cemetery. The gross footprint area of the proposed building is 291 square metres.
Bolton highways department have raised no objections to the new building. Planners in Bolton will decide on the proposals at a date to be arranged.
READ NEXT:
