By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Three new ‘barrow’ memorial structures planned at a recently-approved burial ground in Gedling could be turned down over fears they will impact the landscape.
Funeral director and applicant A W Lymn first received planning consent for the burial ground, off Georges Lane, Calverton, in summer 2022.
The plans were lodged following concerns there was not enough grave space left in the Arnold area.
Gedling Borough Council says Carlton Cemetery has 20-plus years of burial space, while Calverton also has room left.
But Redhill Cemetery in Arnold has been designated full to all, apart from ashes and multiple-occupation, pre-purchased graves.
This led to the Calverton plans being backed at a planning committee meeting in July last year.
However, the Labour-run council has confirmed this planning permission is yet to be implemented by the applicant.
The funeral company has since submitted more plans for the land, including the creation of three barrows on the burial ground.
Barrows are mounds which offer a natural alternative to modern memorials and cemeteries. They are often used for cremated remains.
The barrows – two of which would be open and one which would have a grass-covered roof – would be used for the placement of cremation urns.
Barrows one and two, which are open and on a wall, would measure 2.7 metres high and 14 metres in diameter.
The first barrow would include a reflection pool and bearer stone, with the second including a central tree.
The third, grass-mounded barrow, would be nine metres high and 10 metres wide and would be completely covered.
The site, if approved, would adjoin the internal burial ground access road included in the plans from 2022, while a separate access path and landscaping are also proposed.
However, the authority’s planning committee has been recommended to refuse the proposals next week over concerns about the impact on the countryside.
The development site is within the greenbelt and an objection letter has been submitted by Calverton Parish Council.
The council says the side and height of the barrows are “not in keeping with the greenbelt surroundings” and said the plans are not “sympathetic” to the rural landscape.
No other objections were raised during a planning consultation, with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water all not making comments on the plans.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s highways, flooding and rights of way teams also raised no comments, while its archaeology team “does not believe there will be any impact on archaeological remains”.
However, Gedling Borough Council’s planning department will advise councillors to refuse the plans next week over the impact on the greenbelt.
It considers the plans would “not preserve the openness of the greenbelt” due to the “size and scale” of the barrows.
“This is in contrast to the site’s current undeveloped and open nature and the proposed burial meadow which was of a much lesser scale and was considered [last year],” it added.
But in documents, the applicant said the use of the greenbelt is appropriate and would not have a “detrimental impact on the openness” of the countryside.
In response, the authority said: “That view is contested.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is contested that any special circumstances exist to allow what would otherwise be considered inappropriate development within the greenbelt.”
Councillors will determine the fate of the three barrows at the planning committee meeting on July 26.
