New crematorium plans backed by former Shrewsbury reverend

Last year Westerleigh, which runs crematoria across the UK, put in an application to build a new facility on land off the A5 in Nesscliffe.

It was met with objection by many locals due to traffic and air pollution concerns, however it has been backed by funeral directors and now by former Shrewsbury reverend Richard Hayes.

In a letter posted on the Shropshire Council planning portal, he said the wait for a funeral can now be more than three weeks in the region, and it is causing pain and suffering for families.

He believes it is a good location, and said: "There is a need for another crematorium as every town in north Shropshire is expanding, and with an increasing population and the well established fact that people are living longer, there will inevitably be an urgent need for more crematoria to serve a growing population.

"Finally, and most important of all, provision of a Nesscliff crematorium will ease the pressure on existing crematoria and shorten waiting times for bereaved families.

"It will save them the pain of waiting long, and restlessly, for the rites of commendation."

Aubrey Kirkham, a funeral director who has bases in Four Crosses and Shrewsbury, has also thrown his weight behind the application.

In a letter, he has cited lengthy delays at crematoria in Shrewsbury and Telford back in January 2018, which led to emergency meetings and action being taken, as one reason for the application to go through.

Objectors have hit out at the plans for a number of reasons, including pollution, being a blot on the landscape, and an increase in traffic.

Many of the objections have criticised the company for not considering other locations closer to Shrewsbury or Oswestry, but Westerleigh bosses insist other areas were looked at.

Shropshire Council said some matters surrounding the application are still to be addressed, before it goes to the central planning committee later this year.

Westerleigh has been contacted for comment.