Proposal to provide a local crematorium
Pages in Proposal to provide a local crematorium
- 1. You are here: Providing a local service for bereaved families
- 2. Images
- 3. Questions and answers
- 4. Consultation event and responses
1. Providing a local service for bereaved families
The Council is proposing to build a crematorium and memorial garden in the borough after research showed there is a clear need for a more local service for bereaved families.
Currently, Reigate & Banstead residents who wish their loved ones to be cremated must journey to a facility out of the borough, usually to Leatherhead, Crawley, Croydon or Merton. Two of these crematoria are exceeding capacity, one is approaching capacity and only one (Croydon) has spare capacity.
The lack of local provision means that bereaved families can experience a long wait for services elsewhere, as well as difficulties finding a convenient time, due to the demand at those facilities. With a growing and ageing population, the need for a local service is predicted to continue to rise.
We want to provide a high-quality facility that will provide exceptional service and a dignified means by which people can remember their loved ones closer to home.
The proposed scheme
A suitable site was identified in Woodhatch, located off the Woodhatch Road between Lonesome Lane Recreation Ground and New Pond Farm allotments. The semi-rural location offers a tranquil and accessible space to enable an appropriate setting for mourners, while also minimising the impact on neighbours.
The proposal is for a modern, discreet crematorium, set in an attractively landscaped garden of remembrance that complements the surrounding landscape.
The facility will include:
- a ceremony hall that can seat 120 mourners
- a waiting room
- a flower court
- an outside undercover area with screens and speakers to cater for large attendances
- webcasting technology so that services can be viewed by mourners unable to attend.
The design includes stringent environmental safeguards and proposals to manage vehicle traffic from those visiting the site. It will have appropriate levels of car parking, including accessible parking spaces, cycle racks and separate provision for horse drawn hearses.
The Council plans to deliver and run the facility itself, ensuring we have control over the design, service quality, timings, price and management of the site. Our intention is to offer services that are appropriately staggered to give mourners more time to pay their respects.
Planning application
A planning application submitted in January 2021 was refused by Planning Committee at its meeting on 29 September 2021.
Following the decision, the project team will be reviewing its options for the project.
You can view full details of the planning application via the planning application search – application reference number 21/00192/F.
More information
You can see more information about the scheme on the following pages, including questions and answers on key topics, responses to consultation event questions and images.