Bosses at a green burial site which has struggled to cope with increasing demand for its services have been told they can quadruple the size and scale of the business.

James Blantern, who runs the green burial ground near Whitchurch, has won planning permission to increase the number of burials from 10 to 40 per year after demand for plots at the site at Alkington Grange proved so high.

Mr Blantern was forced to apply to Shirehall to vary the conditions of his original permission, granted in 2009, by the former North Shropshire District Council.

Now, planning officials have approved the proposals using delegated powers.

Under the new permission, the family-run business called Fenns Meadow Green Burial Ground, can cater for pets as well as humans.

In a letter to planning officials Mr Blantern said: “We have now carried out eight burials.

“Due to the nature of the business I do not wish to get anywhere near the stated number per year within the planning permission but feel an increase is required.”

He added: “The reason for including pet burials at this stage is that we have had a number of requests for individuals to bury their pets within the same site.”

A report by planning officials said: “The site is appropriate for a green burial site and will not be detrimental to ground water or cause a risk of pollution.

“The restrictions on the increase in the number of burials per year to 40 together with the limited size car park will limit the impact on the character of the area and amenities of the neighbouring residents.”

Due to the nature of the application, experts had to produce a report on what impact, if any, an enlarged burial ground could have on the surrounding area and its water supply.

A hydrogeological report on the proposals said: “Response from the public indicates that there will be greater interest than originally anticipated.

“It is concluded that because of the remoteness of the site, the absence of potential receptors and the general hydrogeological conditions previously described in the 2008 report there is no significant increased pollution risk likely to rise from the current proposals.”