PLANS to build a new crematorium in Heaton have been approved by Bradford Council - but it will be up to the Government to make the final decision as to whether it goes ahead.

Members of Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee approved the plans at a meeting this morning, and heard from some of the numerous objectors to the development.

Among the issues raised by residents were fears over traffic to the site, loss of Green Belt and concerns that ashes scattered by grieving families may get picked up by the wind and blown into the gardens of nearby homes.

The facility, at Long Lane in Heaton, was proposed as part of Bradford Council's Bereavement Strategy to update its ageing facilities.

This crematorium would replace one at Nab Wood Crematorium in Shipley. At the meeting members were told that Nab Wood had limited parking, and that much needed upgrades to facilities, including new cremator ovens with abatement equipment with a could not be accommodated at the site.

Residents object to plans for crematorium in Heaton

Planning officer Malcolm Joy said Bradford's crematoria facilities were out of date and approaching the end of their life.

They did not meet emissions standards, and neighbouring councils had much more modern facilities.

He said that as well as almost 130 objections to the application, there had been two petitions handed to the Council.

One was on the Council website that was signed by 40 people and a Change.org petition signed by 250 people.

Mr Joy said that around 100 people on the Change petition seemed to be from outside the Bradford area.

He said some objections had suggested the Crematorium instead be built on Old Allen Road between Wilsden and Thornton.

There is currently a separate planning application for a cemetery in that area awaiting a decision, but Mr Joy said this application was not linked to the Crematorium plans.

He added: "We would look at alternative sites if members did refuse this application."

He told members that the site was in Green Belt, but that due to national limits on where crematoria are built - they cannot be within 200 yards of a house, there were very few sites in Bradford that were suitable.

Objector Nabeada Aslam spoke at the meeting, saying the facility would lead to dangerous levels of traffic in the area.

It would harm views of Green Belt land  - she claimed.

She also raised concerns about an ash scattering garden on the site, adding: "It would be located right outside our house. It is very gusty here. The ash will get picked up and blown into our gardens. It is unacceptable that we won't be able to use our garden or open our windows because ash will be blowing in."

Officers told members that the garden would be screened with bushes and trees, and that any ash scattering would be overseen by undertakers.

Any ash would be swept into grass or plants/soil.

Committee member Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) is also a methodist minister. He said: "I would say don't believe what you see in films. That sort of throwing ashes into the wind they show is without the benefit of undertakers. In this case scatterings would be a supervised operation.

"30 years ago I considered myself a connoisseur of crematoriums. There are always questions about crematoriums - one is should we adapt existing crematoriums or build purpose built ones?

"The answer to me is almost always purpose built ones. The difference is quite considerable.

"After the discussion of should we build one is where should we put it? I feel we've had enough re-assurances about this site."

Councillor Paul Godwin (Lab, Keighley West) said he lived close to Oakworth Crematorium, and no-one I know has raised any issue about ash spreading."

Councillor Russell Brown (Cons, Worth Valley) said he was impressed with plans to upgrade Oakworth Crematorium in his area - and that this Crematorium seemed similarly impressive. He said: "It is much better and more environmentally friendly."

Chair Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said: "I think this will be an exceptional addition, and something we really need.

"As a Council we need to get up to date - we're a little bit behind other local authorities."

Four members voted to approve the plans and one voted against.

Although the committee approved the plans it will still have to go to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government due to the application being on Green Belt Land. It will be up to him to decide whether to "call in" the decision or allow it to proceed.