Plans for three new crematoriums to be built in Doncaster

Councillors will decide on plans to potentially build three new crematoriums in different locations across Doncaster.
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Members of the planning committee will decide on a new site off Armthorpe Lane in Barnby Dun, an area off South Green Lane, Brodsworth and a plot off Sheffield Road close to Conisbrough.

Planning bosses say the current Rose Hill Crematorium, in Bessacarr at present has ‘insufficient capacity’.

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But Doncater Council planning officials are only recommending the Barnby Dun application is approved subject to conditions.

Plans for a crematorium on Armthorpe Lane in Barnby DunPlans for a crematorium on Armthorpe Lane in Barnby Dun
Plans for a crematorium on Armthorpe Lane in Barnby Dun

They say that both the Conisbrough and Brodsworth applications are situated on the green belt and do not meet the ‘exceptional circumstances’ to warrant approval.

The Barnby Dun application, submitted by Jamieson Hodgson, of Memoria Limited, also includes associated car park space, an access road, gardens of remembrance and an area for natural and traditional burials.

Documents show that between the years of 2016-2019 the existing Rose Hill Crematorium, in Doncaster operated at 155 per cent of practical capacity in peak months.

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Bosses say a crematorium operating above 80 per cent makes it ‘difficult to offer a cremation service that meets an acceptable quantitative standard’, which in turn ‘adversely affects a crematorium’s ability to offer a quality service’ to bereaved families.

They add that annual deaths in Doncaster are projected to increase by 23 per cent between 2020 and 2043.

The report outlines the majority of areas within Doncaster with higher population densities lie within a 30-minute drive-time of Rose Hill or Barnby Dun. If only Barnby Dun was operational it would bring the highest number of people within a 30 minute journey, bosses added.

Andrea Suddes, planning officer at Doncaster Council, said: “An independent external consultant has fully considered the need for all three proposals and concludes that the Barnby Dun site would best impact on the current over capacity at Rose Hill.

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“This weighs heavily in favour of this proposal and outweighs any harm to the character of the countryside, and as such, the proposal is recommended for approval.”

She added: “The material consideration is that this scheme (Barnby Dun) will best meet the need of the borough for a new crematorium. That must be a given substantial weight in favour.”

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