August 6, 2020 12.31 pm This story is over 42 months old

New crematorium near Horncastle approved

16-acre site with a chapel, new pond and picnic site

A new crematorium and memorial gardens along the Viking Way near Horncastle has been given the go ahead.

Jonathan Crossley’s plans to build the facility off Horncastle Road, in Martin, appeared before East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

The proposals for the 16-acre site include a chapel, a new pond and a picnic site for users of the Viking Way and Spa Trails, which runs between Woodhall Spa and Horncastle.

Recommending approval, officers said there was evidence of a need for an additional crematorium facility within the district and that the site was an “acceptable location”.

East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee on August 6.

Councillor Stephen Eyre supported the plans. He said: “I was involved with Alford Crematorium when it started, the objections are similar and not very strong.

“One of the knock-on effects of such a place is that people make use of the facilities nearby – the hotels in Woodhall Spa and Horncastle. It livens up the local economy because they need wakes and places to stay.”

A plan for the layout of the site.

The proposals describe the building as an “F” shape which area furthest away from the road and containing the crematory, body receiving area and staff facilities.

The central part would contain the chapel, a covered walkway, an entrance lobby and offices. Between the offices and covered walkway would be a courtyard flower garden.

Councillor Neil Jones said it would be “of betterment” to the existing picnic site, adding: “You can’t necessarily make a crematorium attractive but they are always well maintained and well-kept if you look at other examples in Alford or others that you see.”

Objectors to the site had raised concerns about the access through the picnic site, along with the safety of the B1191 with a “blind bend” nearby.

There were also concerns over a conflict between potential funerals and the tourism aspect of the Viking Way through that area.