Reading Council approves £3.13m project to increase burial space by converting allotments due to shortage by 2030.
These allotments sit on land of Reading Cemetery. The Borough Council runs the cemetery. A report in 2021 said burial space would run out by 2030.
Burial space is important for religious people. Catholics, Muslims, and Jews favor full-body burial. The council decided to turn allotments into burial space. The cost will be about £3.13 million.
Councilors argued about this plan. Ellie Emberson said burial space was a “moral duty.” She said they explored all other graveyard sites.
Opposition councilors agreed more burial space is crucial. They suggested closing allotments in phases. Plots would close only when needed. Rob White wanted a phased relocation of plot holders.
He saw no point in empty plots filled with weeds. He said they should study the costs first. People questioned finding replacement allotment space. Raj Singh wondered why they had not done this yet.
He asked how they would find new sites now. Emberson disliked Singh’s sarcastic tone very much. She thought it was unproductive and quite unhelpful. She said they would keep looking for land.
Labour councilors said phasing would cost more. It would exceed the outlined £3.13 million.
The committee will prepare a planning application. They will consult with allotment holders on plot closures. They agreed on this policy at a meeting. This meeting was on Tuesday, February 17.