A NEW multi faith cemetery, with space for around 1,000 graves, could be built on a rural Bradford site if new plans are approved.

A planning application for a cemetery with car parking for 35 vehicles, a garden of tranquillity and a building relating to the running of the facility, has been submitted to Bradford Council. If approved it would be built on Old Allen Road, between Thornton and Wilsden.

The planning application acknowledges that the site is on Green Belt land, but says national planning policies allow developments like cemeteries on Green Belt sites.

And it points out space in inner city areas that was also suitable for burial sites was becoming increasingly scarce.

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The 1.5 hectare site is described in the application as "rough agricultural pasture."

Submitted by Amar Hussain, the application says: "The proposed cemetery would provide some 1,000 burial spaces.

"The development would incorporate a burial area, Garden of Tranquillity, retained fields, small building and parking area, in addition to some tree planting.

"The cemetery has been designed to preserve and enhance the openness of its setting, and to provide a peaceful location for funerals to be held."

It says the facility will be "a burial ground that could be used for people of any faith, and also those of no faith."

Although the scheme is not linked to Bradford Council, the application refers to a recent Council review of bereavement services that found there was likely to be increased pressure to find grave space in the coming years.

It quotes a report from the Council in 2015 that says: "Although the demand for burial is of course for local burial land, in the future it is unlikely that the local demand will be a need that can be met easily if at all.

"Therefore it would seem more than ever likely that any new cemetery land will have to be made available far distant from the communities it serves.

"It is preferable to plan for new cemetery provisions earlier rather than later, as land will become increasingly in short supply within or near to city boundaries, and it will become increasingly difficult to satisfy public demand for local cemeteries.

"Just as in the Victorian era burial had to move away from overcrowded churchyards and dedicated municipal cemeteries had to be created it would seem more than ever likely that any new cemetery land will have to be made available far distant from the communities it serves."

Referring to the site's Green Belt location, the application says: "The design has been specifically created to preserve an open feeling, whilst also providing public access to the burial area. These design elements are beneficial to the purposes of the development, as well as the preservation of openness in the Green Belt."

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) said: "I appreciate that this application will generate a lot of interest as previously indicated when the developer released proposed plans several months ago.

"Now the application has been officially submitted and validated I would actively encourage local residents with an interest in this to submit their comments prior to the consultation deadline on June 27."

A decision on the application is expected in early September.