A DECISION is due on improvements to Henley Road Cemetery, Reading, this week, following proposals for expansions and upgrades to the site.
Planned improvements include small changes to the exterior appearance of the crematorium buildings, as well as accessibility ramps, skid-resistant pacing, and a new access path to the collection point.
Other changes include expansion of the staff area at the rear, the installation of additional louvres to the crematorium room and courtyard works to improve drainage.
As the project is being undertaken by the council, they have to be approved by its planning applications committee, which is due to meet on Wednesday, January 7.
The Cemetery in All Hallows Road, Caversham, was previously used as farm land up until 1924 when it was purchased by the Reading Corporation to be used as a cemetery and burial grounds.
The Henley Road Cemetery was opened in 1927 and is the current burial site for Reading Borough, but it also accepts burials from the wider area.
The cemetery has 25,000 coffin plots and space for 3,000 cremations.
The council has devised a plan to make upgrades to the cemetery complex to create a better staff area, relocate the area where ashes are collected after funerals and make other changes.
A report by planning officer Nathalie Weekes states: “The proposal would result in a small change to the appearance of the crematorium buildings sited within the central core.
“Proposed ramps and skid-resistant paving materials will improve accessibility into the Chapel buildings, with a new path to access the funeral collection point.
“The expanded staff area is to the rear of the centre and will be sited to the rear of a low brick retaining wall and close board timber fence.
“The proposed development is considered to have a negligible impact and the public benefits of the works proposed will enable an improved offering at Reading crematorium.”
The upgrades are due to be decided at a meeting on Wednesday, January 7.
