Parish council fights to preserve green land

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to preserve green land attended an appeal to re-lodge objections against plans for a crematorium.
Protestors against the proposed Swanwick crematorium.Protestors against the proposed Swanwick crematorium.
Protestors against the proposed Swanwick crematorium.

Amber valley Borough Council turned down Memoria Ltd’s application for a 7.6 acre crematorium off Derby Road, Swanwick, on the grounds it would not be suitable and is not needed.

But a three-day appeal hearing was completed on Thursday, June 6, at Ripley Town Hall, where objections from residents and Swanwick Parish Council over the impact on residents green land were considered.

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John Briggs, of Swanwick Residents’ Association, said: “We’re not against crematoriums but we are against using land which has been protected in the local plan to maintain a separation between Alfreton, Swanwick and Somercotes.”

There have been 600 letters of objection and one protestor Jonathan Arbon, of Sleetmoor House, Swanwick, claimed the development would affect his family’s privacy as they contended with increased traffic and smoke emissions. Legal representatives for the borough and parish councils and residents, argued the development is not necessary to sustain the rural economy, it breaches policy designed to maintain open space and would mean increased traffic when there are other crematoriums.

Ian Ponter, representing Memoria, said assessments had been carried out and argued the development did not breach policy or pose harm. He claimed 170,000 people will benefit from living closer to a crematorium. Planning Inspector Harold Stephens adjourned the appeal before a decision is expected in weeks.