In The News

Work still to begin on planned crematoriums

Work still to begin on planned crematoriums

WORK is still to begin on building two more crematoriums in Northern Ireland, more than a year after plans for the projects were announced.

Both projects, which are planned for Moira and Omagh, have obtained outline planning permission.

The Moira crematorium, which is funded from the private sector, is planned for site on the Lisburn Road, close to the M1 motorway. The £4m project includes provision of a new cemetery with up to 9,000 plots. This, combined with existing cemeteries, is expected to provide sufficient burial capacity for the Lisburn area for the next 40 years.

It had been suggested that work on the project could have begun by the middle of this year, but this has not happened. The plan was approved by the Environment minister Alex Attwood in January 2012. At the time the minister said: "There is an identified need for a facility of this kind in the Lisburn area.

"In arriving at my decision, I have given careful consideration to the views of the local community amongst others. However, I am satisfied that the development can be satisfactorily integrated into the surrounding environment without causing undue harm to existing residents."

In Omagh a site has been earmarked close to the town's Greenhill Cemetery on the Gortin Road.

Northern Ireland currently only has one crematorium which is operated by Belfast City Council.

At busy periods funeral slots at Roselawn can come under pressure with families sometimes having to wait several days before holding a cremation.

Around 18% of funerals in Northern Ireland currently involve cremation.

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