READING Borough Council has begun its consultation on returning Henley Road allotments to its intended use as cemetery ground.
With the town set to run out of burial space by the end of the decade, the council has put forward plans to change Henley Road allotments to their previous use as cemetery land.
Councillors have proposed the move in response, as an effort to keep burials in the borough available as a choice for residents.
While the council says it has explored alternatives, it is now recommending the change as the “most realistic and affordable” solution, estimating that it would create burial space in the town until around 2044.
The allotments are on reserve cemetery ground, which means that public use was granted until it was needed for burials.
Preliminary ground water surveys show the ground is highly likely to be suitable for burial use and be granted a permit by the Environment Agency, though more intensive ground testing would still be required to confirm the land’s suitability.
A report was compiled in anticipation of the Policy Committee meeting which took place on Wednesday, September 17th.
Councillors are now beginning a consultation with holders of plots at the site to identify mitigations, including possible rent-free periods and help to move to other sites.
Ellie Emberson, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said: “A shortage of burial space is by no means unique to Reading, but we have now reached the point where a definitive decision needs to be made about how to address it.
“Competing demands for limited space is not new to Reading, and this a perfect example of it.”
She explained: “The proposal to return the allotment land to its intended us as cemetery ground is not made lightly and has only come forward after an extensive but ultimately unsuccessful search for realistic and affordable alternatives at this time.
“This is a genuine consultation where we want to engage with as many residents as possible to understand their views, the arguments for and against the proposal, and suggestions for possible mitigations to support allotment holders should that decision be taken in the new year.
“We recognise the importance of giving existing allotment holders as much notice as possible, especially with the planting seasons to bear in mind. Those options for support could include offering them plots at alternative locations in Reading, help with moving or indeed financial compensation.”
Residents and community groups can read about the proposal and have their say at reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/future-cemetery-provision
People can also request paper copies of the consultation by picking one up in any Reading library or by emailing: henleyroad@reading.gov.uk
Paper copies can be returned by post to: Reading Borough Council Cemetery Survey, Henley Road Cemetery & Crematorium, 55 All Hallows Road, Caversham, RG4 5LP.
