Crematorium planned for site near new school

Plans have been unveiled for a new crematorium next to a school currently under construction.

The Wantage Park facility in Round Spinney, Northampton, is likely to open in two years' time.

Some villagers living nearby said it should not be built near a new school and a housing estate.

West Northamptonshire Council said it was responding to an urgent need for cremation facilities.

The new crematorium, at Wantage Farm, would be next to a 1,200-place secondary school that is nearing completion to serve nearby housing developments.

People in nearby Moulton have posted on social media expressing concerns about the project.

One said: "How is it all these unwanted developments get dumped on Moulton time after time?"

Another added: "A crem built in the middle of residential area and the bottom of school playing fields. Are the council mad?"

A third complained the plan was "insanity of the highest order and, if it goes ahead, I'm done and leaving here".

A council spokesperson said: "With existing crematoria within the area operating above their capacity, the new facility will ease this pressure, reduce waiting times and improve the service for bereaved families.

"Building the new crematorium is also expected to bring benefits to the local community, with the surrounding land transformed into recreational spaces, including walking paths and green areas."

The council added that the facility would have modern filtration systems to ensure there would be no smoke or odours.

It said there was a possibility of some "visible water vapour flume" during the start-up process.

The spokesperson said the site had been carefully chosen and the crematorium’s design and operation "meticulously planned".

"The school buildings are over 200 yards away from the closest corner of the proposed site, and additional landscaping, bunds, and visual screening will further enhance this separation," they said.

A public consultation exercise will start on 25 September.

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