Spennymoor company responds to mortuary criticism
A funeral company has broken its silence after plans to open a mortuary next to a primary school were criticised.
Hardy’s Funeral Services hopes to convert a former home in Spennymoor as it bids to expand its business.
However, dozens of residents and parents are against the proposal.
King Street Primary School said its future could be in doubt if the mortuary is approved.
Joanne Bromley, King Street head teacher, said: “We firmly believe that parents would not feel that this is an appropriate proposal and, if it went ahead, would consider a move of schools and any new parents would not choose our school in the future and thus it would have a detrimental impact upon the school’s future.”
In an objection letter submitted to Durham County Council, she questioned how the funeral company would provide services in a “discreet” way, as suggested.
But the applicant said its main objective is to be discreet while acknowledging its work is “particularly sensitive”.
Now, the applicant has responded to the concerns two months after the proposal was first submitted.
A statement from Hardy’s Funeral Services read: “The reason for choosing this site above others, which would not have required a change of use, is that clients can arrive, park their car in a designated parking bay to the rear of the premises, enter and leave the premises in relative privacy. “
No funeral services would take place at the site, Hardy’s said, as it is too small and car parking for a large number of vehicles is not available.
The statement added: “I would envisage the deceased would arrive in a closed vehicle, reversed into the garage, and the deceased taken from there into the main building on a covered stretcher.
“The reverse of this procedure is to be carried out when leaving, the deceased would be removed from the main building in a coffin to the garage and placed in a hearse.”
A retractable side awning would be fitted between the garage and the main building, the applicant added.
The planning application is due to be considered by Durham County Council later this year