AMBITIOUS proposals to build a crematorium in the heart of Fladbury are to be unveiled next week, the Observer can reveal.
Westerleigh, one of the country’s leading developers of crematoria, will host a series of public consultations in Pershore, Evesham and Fladbury for the proposed site at Fladbury Cross on the A44.
If approved, the new crematorium would host up to 1,000 funerals per year when fully up and running, averaging out at around four per day, giving Vale residents more local choice.
Consequently, it would also mean a reduction in the amount of funeral traffic on the road network.
Bereaved families living in the Vale currently have to endure long journeys of more than 30 minutes in a cortege, to reach existing crematoria in Worcester, Redditch or Cheltenham.
Heavy demand has also led to many families having to wait for funerals, particularly during the winter when the death rate is typically 40 per cent higher than the average.
Crematoria at Worcester and Redditch are both significantly busier than the average single chapel crematorium, being 33 per cent and 23 per cent busier respectively.
The lack of capacity at the these crematoria often causes delays of three weeks in being able to book a time for a funeral, and further distress is suffered by families pressurised into limiting the length of funeral services to make way for other funeral parties.
Local funeral directors have warmly welcomed the proposals – seen by the Observer – and stressed the need for a crematorium to serve the Vale.
Philip Tomlins, funeral director at Merstow Green Funeral Home, said: “Westerleigh are a very well respected crematorium developer and operator and we like the look of their plans at Fladbury Cross.
“A new crematorium is needed in this area to ensure families living in the Vale of Evesham and surrounding areas have access to a dedicated local facility.
“My colleagues and I at Merstow Green Funeral Home wholeheartedly welcome the proposal for a new crematorium to be built at Fladbury Cross.”
Public exhibitions on the plans will take place on Wednesday (January 18) at Pershore Town Hall, Thursday (January 19) at Evesham Town Hall and next Friday (January 20) at Fladbury Village Hall.
All of the events run from 2.30pm to 7.30pm.
