Developers seek advice over new Shropshire crematorium

Shropshire Council says it has not yet had a planning application for the crematorium proposals for land near Nesscliffe.

However a screening opinion is often made prior to a planning application to determine whether an Environment Impact Assessment is needed.

Westerleigh, which runs a number of crematoria across the UK, recently held a public drop-in event for local residents, says it is interested in building a new facility that would host an average of four funerals per day. It would ease pressure on existing facilities.

See also:

• Bosses behind new Shropshire crematorium vow to listen to villagers

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Ian Kilby, Shropshire Council’s planning services manager, said the authority had received an application for a screening opinion.

“Screening is the process of deciding which projects require an Environmental Impact Assessment .

"A scoping opinion only considers what information should be included in an EIA. These are not planning applications and we do not notify local people about them.

"There will always be the need for a separate planning application which will involve full notification of local people before a decision is reached.

"An applicant for planning permission may ask the planning authority for a screening opinion before submitting the application.

"Once received we have to issue an opinion within three weeks of the date of receipt.

“The aim of the screening process is to identify those projects that are likely to have significant effects on the environment.

“The broad intention of requesting a screening opinion is that developers can obtain a clear view from the council on the need for an EIA well before they reach the stage of lodging a formal planning application.

"This should minimise the possibility of delay or uncertainty.

"No action will be taken on the planning application until the developer has prepared an ES and submitted it to the planning authority.”