Decision on new crematorium in Cornwall delayed after Queen's death
A proposed build near Bude has been withdrawn from a council planning meeting
Last updated 15th Sep 2022
A decision on whether to grant planning permission for a controversial new crematorium in Cornwall has been delayed for a month following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The plans for a crematorium to be built on land off the A39 at Poundstock had been due to go to the council's strategic planning committee today (September 15th).
However, the item has now been withdrawn as the meeting is being held during the period of national mourning for the Queen and the "specific nature of the proposed development". The application will instead be discussed at a meeting next month.
In a note added to the agenda, it states: "It has been decided to defer planning application PA21/01480 from the forthcoming agenda of the Strategic Planning Committee to be held on the 15th September 2022 due to the sensitivities surrounding the specific nature of the proposed development and the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"The application will instead proceed to be targeted towards the next meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee on the 13th October 2022".
The planning application, submitted by The Atlantic View Crematorium Consortium, was for a crematorium and memorial garden on land west of the A39 at Poundstock, near Bude. It had attracted a number of objections from people who were concerned that the site is not the best location for the facility.
Council planning officers had recommended that the application should be approved saying that it would meet a need in the area and would ease demand on the nearest crematoriums in Bodmin and Barnstaple.
Campaigners say it will cause "significant harm" to the area
People objecting to the application said that the council had come up with a "hybrid excuse" to withdraw the item from the agenda of Thursday's meeting.
In a statement on the Stop The Crematorium website, they state: "A rumour was circulating during the afternoon of 13th September that Cornwall Council were considering pulling the crematorium application from the Strategic Planning Committee Agenda on 15th September. The indication was that as it was viewed as contentious then the Committee would not be able to deal with two applications in one day. However, Cornwall Council knew it was contentious when they listed it and put it on the agenda along with a second application. Indeed, confirmation was given on 31st August that it would be heard on 15th September.
"Their position then appeared to change somewhat as the afternoon went on and they were rumoured to be considering pulling it from being heard due to the Queen's sad passing.
"However, that reason would of course mean pulling both applications due to be heard that day. So overnight of the 12th September and this morning (13th September) they have come up with a hybrid excuse to now pull just the crematorium application from the meeting on Thursday.
"Residents and Parish Councillors are extremely disappointed and concerned as to how this application is being managed by Cornwall Council. It is obviously hoped that the ‘targeted’ date of 13 October for the hearing does indeed proceed".
The strategic planning committee meeting is still set to take place tomorrow to discuss and decide an application for a geothermal power plant on land at Penhallow, near Truro.