SAVE OUR GREEN BELT
SAY NO TO THE CREMATORIUM!
This is a campaign against a proposal to build a crematorium on our green belt
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REIGATE AND BANSTEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL HAS SUBMITTED A PLANNING APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A CREMATORIUM IN WOODHATCH, REIGATE
PLANNING REF: 21/00192/F
Comments can still be submitted, the application has not yet been determined.
HOW TO RESPOND:
Submit Comments via the planning portal
Email objections to: James.Amos@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Write to: Mr. J Amos, Planning, Reigate & Banstead BC, Town Hall, Castle field Road, Reigate, RH2 0SH
In conjunction with our appointed experts WGSPG have submitted detailed objections, refer to NEWS for further information.
Please see NEWS for additional information and campaign updates
BACKGROUND
The council's consultants state that there is a clear need for a new modern crematorium in Reigate and Banstead area and that 142,000 people currently have to travel further afield.
We comment as follows:
- There has been NO Borough wide consultation to identify needs and/or emerging trends.
- The evidence is based on subjective statements and opinions.
- The Development Management Plan, (adopted September 2019), DID NOT allocate sites for cemetery or crematorium provision.
- A Cemetery and Crematorium Needs review was conducted in June 2016, this concluded that the 'very special circumstances' test could NOT be demonstrated.
- Despite the above, RBBC Commercial Executive Sub-Committee began working on 'Project Baseball' and the proposal for a crematorium to generate revenue emerged.
- A total of ten sites have been considered, whittled down to two, Hooley Recreation Ground and Woodhatch.
- We consider there is no need to build on recreation grounds, or valued Countryside sites , a wider site search, would identify alternative and more viable sites, where the loss of valuable assets would not result. The nature of the two shortlisted sites, is in itself indicative that the site selection process was flawed, and therefore no planning merit should be afforded to it.
THIS PROPOSAL WILL IRREVOCABLY REMOVE LAND FROM OUR GREEN BELT.
THIS PROPOSAL WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ALLOTMENT PLOTS, WHEN DEMAND IS HIGH.
THIS PROPOSAL WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OR MOVING FURTHER AFIELD TWO GRASS FOOTBALL PITCHES
THIS PROPOSAL WILL LESSEN THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL RECREATION IN THE AREA, AND RESTRICT ACCESS TO LONG STANDING NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL GREEN SPACE. THE IMPORTANCE OF WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED EVEN MORE SO AS A RESULT OF COVID.
THIS SITE IS ONE OF REIGATE AND BANSTEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL'S 'VALUED COUNTRYSIDE' SITES.
THIS SITE WAS UNDER COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP FROM 1993 - 2013 WHERE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ARE PROVIDED TO LAND MANAGERS TO ENCOURAGE FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL FARMING METHODS, ENHANCING THE LANDSCAPE, AND ENCOURAGING WILDLIFE AND BIO-DIVERSITY.
SAY NO - HELP SAVE OUR GREEN BELT, RECREATION AREAS AND ALLOTMENTS FROM DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE OTHER MORE SUITABLE SITES THAT DO NOT RESULT IN SUCH HARM AND LOSS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE WILDLIFE.
THE PROPOSAL
- Site approximately 4.98ha of Green Belt land
- Single storey building of around 870 sqm
- Capacity for 2 cremators, and up to 3 chimneys
- Single chapel, 120-mourner crematorium with8 memorial garden
- Able to host 8 services per day
- Circa 500 vehicle trips per day during busiest periods
- Services offered between 1000 - 1600
- Gardens of remembrance open 365 days a year
- Access roads (encroaching on the allotments)
- Car park and access (impacting football pitches and sports use)
- Service yard and parking
WE SAY NO!
More information about the planning proposal can be found at: reigate-banstead.gov.uk/crematorium
WE SAY NO! THE POTENTIAL IMPACT
LOSS OF GREEN BELT
Creating this crematorium will result in removal of land from the green belt, once gone it is gone forever. This is green belt land that is used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
'Once Green Belts have been defined, local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance their beneficial use, such as looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land.'
'Inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances.'
We say NO.
LOSS OF, OR HARM TO NATURAL HABITAT AND BIODIVERSITY
This is a designated Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and the harm could be catastrophic to a large array of local wildlife. Such sites are specifically designated, according to strict criteria, because they perform a particular function, encouraging local bio-diversity and habitat protection. Extensive construction and loss of open space risks resulting in signifiant harm to the local wildlife, habitat and bio-diversity.
We say NO.
HARM TO HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
Cremations release greenhouse gases and other chemicals that may be present in the body, such as mercury, dioxins and furans.
Carbon Dioxide - '1,000 cremations per annum equals 150 tonnes per year of carbon this equals 1,229,508 car carbon kilometres annually. .' CDS Group.
It can take one to two hours to cremate a body, depending on weight or size and performance of the cremator.
There is an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of cremations, alternatives are emerging.
Exposure to potential harmful emissions and damage to long term impact on the environment -
We say NO.
LOSS OF ACCESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION
Grass roots sports play a key role in our communities. Playing sport is associated with positive quality of life benefits to all layers of society, and in some cases these benefits are higher for those from socially disadvantaged groups.
Loss of New Pond Farm football pitches.
We say NO.
There is increasingly compelling evidence showing that access to greenspaces really matters for our health.' - Public Health England, Improving Access to Greenspace - A new review for 2020.
Loss of green space
We say NO.
INCREASED TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION
Additional pressure on Woodhatch Road, nearby junctions and access to local schools.
We say NO.
LOSS OF ALLOTMENTS
Allotments are permitted use of green belt, and are impacted by this development.
We say NO.
The full impact of this proposal cannot be determined until formal planning and accompanying reports are made available. The consultation Q&A response being somewhat lacking in detail.
Additional land also under threat of being removed from the Green Belt, South Park & Woodhatch
260
Sandcross Lane
Urban extension on previously Green Belt land - approximately 260 homes
10
Land west of Castle Drive
Urban extension on previously Green Belt land - approximately 10 new homes
25
Hartswood Nursery
Urban extension on previously Green Belt land - approximately 25 new homes
100
Land at Dovers Farm
Urban extension on previously Green Belt land - approximately 100 new homes
Other proposals within Reigate:
The Canon site -
- Relocation of Surrey County Council offices
- Relocation of Reigate Priory school
Source: Development Management Plan Regulation 19 Fact Sheet