Controversial plans to expand Bristol cemetery approved again
New burial space will be found on Yew Tree Farm
Amended plans to expand a Bristol cemetery onto the city's last working farm have been unanimously approved, despite strong opposition from individuals including former Mayor George Ferguson.
The City Council has been debating expanding South Bristol Cemetery for months saying it is running out of burial space and has always had eyes on neighbouring Yew Tree Farm, the land for which the council also owns.
However, environmental campaigners have been campaigning passionately against the idea, with some of the farm a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
This morning (11th October) councillors on the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee approved the idea, on the condition that land in the SNCI is not disturbed.
A spokesperson for the Green Party which leads Bristol City Council said new drainage solutions will be looked into and no final decisions on how to do the work will be taken until a full assessment is done of "potential environmental impacts".
Councillor Abdul Malik said: "Myself and my fellow committee members have worked tirelessly on this issue. We’ve listened carefully to all sides, and what we’re putting forward is a robust solution that provides ten years of much needed burial space and protects the SNCI. It’s not a compromise—it’s a well-considered strategy.”
“It also underscores the Green Party’s leadership in ensuring that providing burial space is responsible and aligned with its commitment to environmental preservation. This is about doing what’s right for Bristol.”
In March 2020 and again in January 2024 the council's cabinet, which was then run by Labour, approved plans to expand the cemetery, with planning permission granted in November 2023.
Whilst in opposition the Green Party opposed the work and agreed to revisit the decision following May's local election.
The party argues this morning's decision will still allow the expansion to go ahead, whilst protecting the SCNI.
Cllr Fi Hance, who sits on the committee, said: “Thanks to the hard work of Green councillors, this amendment protects the SNCI and I hope addresses the fears of those worried about the fate of Yew Tree Farm.
“It also means that burials across the council will still pay for themselves, stopping money coming from improvements to our city’s parks at a time when the council is under significant financial pressure.”
“The Greens are committed to addressing the ecological emergency, and we will work with officers to make sure that the SNCI remains protected, now and in the future.”
Former Bristol Mayor George Ferguson is one of several high profile figures who put their name to a letter against the expansion.
Others included Patrick Holden who leads the Sustainable Food Trust and Carrie Winter from the Save Bristol Gardens Alliance.