Thousands have their say on controversial Calderdale burial ground plans

Rest Gardens Ltd have applied for planning permission to change the use of a field north of Slack Lane, Ripponden, from a fish ponds and angling facility to a burial ground, including engineering works, associated car parking and an access road within the site.

Following a social media video featuring three men urging people of Muslim faith from surrounding areas including Bradford, Dewsbury and Oldham to support the application, which its makers say is in response to an initial 200 objections to the proposal, comments have accelerated until, by May 12, 1,171 objections and 1,031 supporting comments have been received by Calderdale Council on its online planning portal.

The men speaking in the video say the site would be for people of Muslim faith and it could house 1,665 burial plots which would be freehold.

Many of the objectors raise highways issues, concerns about the suitability of the ground, green belt issues and question its suitability in a rural setting.

Many of those supporting the application say more burial space is needed for people of Muslim faith who have died, the coronavirus epidemic is increasing the need for such plots rapidly and the rural location would minimise disruption to communities.

Ryburn ward councillor Coun Rob Holden (Ind), who is opposing the plans, says ultimately it will be planning considerations that will shape the final decision and he has requested the application, which Ripponden Parish Council is opposing, should come before Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee for determination whether that is in virtual form or until it can physically meet again.

Coun Holden says the application – initially submitted last autumn and withdrawn – faces objections from key council departments Highways and Bereavement Services which he agrees with.

Highways say concerns including details on the number of expected burials annually relating to increased vehicle movements along a 650 metre approach road having few passing places which is not reasonably accessible for non-drivers, have not been addressed since the withdrawn application.

Bereavement Services are concerned about ground water pollution management including evidence of test pits being dug and lack of a cemetery regulation document which stipulates opening times and other key information about how it would operate.