Talks go ahead on Powys cemetery which is almost full – but no immediate solution in sight

Talks have gone ahead on a Powys cemetery where space is running out.

There are only 39 plots left at Rhayader Cemetery which are expected to last for three or four years.

Of the 39 plots left at Rhayader Cemetery, eight or nine of those have already been pre-booked and

Powys County Council will not be allocating any further pre-booked plots.

Rhayader County and Town Councillor Angela Davies told the town council about the situation previously and she invited Carwyn Jones, Powys County Council's cemetery officer to talk to the town council.

He attended October's meeting and he explained Powys County Council does not provide cemeteries and they do not buy any more land for cemeteries.

Mr Jones said in Rhayader there seems to be a higher number of people that choose a traditional burial than in other places and a few years ago it was believed that the cemetery may last for another 30 to 50 years but there a few issues there that have meant there is not as much space as was first thought.

He did say he could offer guidance to the Town Council should they be in a position to provide land for an extension – but he made it clear that they would have to have a plot of land ready to use with all planning permission, change of use, and infrastructure in place, before Powys County Council would even consider taking it over.

The town council do not own a suitable piece of land so for the moment it just something to think about.

Councillor Davies said: “I was very shocked and surprised to learn that Rhayader Cemetery is nearing full.

“I had assumed, like I suspect many people, that I would be laid to rest in my hometown cemetery it never occurred to me that when the current site was full there would be no plans in place extend it.”

Councillor Davies shared this news with Rhayader Town Council and neighbouring County Councillors and their Community councils as they may also have resident who could be impacted.

Councillor Clare Evans said she was surprised and disappointed that the county council did not raise this a few years ago when discussions were held about where an extension to the cemetery would be.

Councillor David Evans said: “The cemetery has been under the district council since 1951. A section of the field adjoining the cemetery has always been designated for future development and I think we should make representations to the county council that it should become an extension to our cemetery.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “We can confirm that there are currently 39 burial spaces remaining within the cemetery, after plots that have already been pre-booked are taken into account.

“Space for the interment of cremated remains is expected to be available for longer, as these require less room than a traditional burial plot.

“Local residents should be aware that burials can take place at other nearby cemeteries or graveyards.”