Burial Ground

Future Burial Ground T&F Group meeting notes 08/10/21

Present: Cllr Sharron Brylewski, Cllr Barry Robinson. Apologies: Cllr Trevor Bridgwood
The agreed terms of reference were considered as the basis for the meeting and were carried out as follows:

2. Appointment of Chair – deferred till next meeting when more members might attend.
3 b&c potential sites

The following sites were identified as possibilities (see also map):

1. Laburnum Drive Playing Field

2. St Paul’s Play Area

3. Cherry Fields top Field (Cherry Pastures)

4. Field on south side of Hawthorn Rd, west of Priory Pembroke Academy School

5. Field on north side of Fiskerton Road, adjacent to the junction with Waterford Lane

6. Field opposite Reepham Church’s burial ground on Hawthorn Rd

7. Field on north side of Fiskerton Rd, to the east of Lady Meers Estate

8. Green space between existing CWPC Burial Ground and Gilbert’s Pond

9. Field to the west or east of Cherry Willingham and Reepham Village Hall

10. Tanfaine Field in the North-East corner

The sites were then considered for their suitability and potential.

Nos. 1, 2, 3: Although on land owned by CWPC, these are likely to be unacceptable to residents, as it would impinge on existing use.

Nos. 4 and 5: These are on land that is known to be where the owner is planning to acquire planning permission for house building and would thus only be available at considerable cost, if at all.

Nos. 6 and 7 have not featured in planning applications but are in prime position for future developments, so the owners are unlikely to be willing to sell the land at agricultural rates.

No 8 is a possibility but it is understood that the site may have the remains of historic buildings below the surface and may be of archaeological interest that would preclude disturbance. As the land was given to the parish by the developer as green space, it may be that this would preclude its use as a Burial Ground. No test digging has been undertaken to access the suitability of the soil for burials. Further investigation is required to establish if this site is a real possibility.

No 9 is not within the Parish Boundary and if for sale may command a sale price well above agricultural rates, but is to be explored as it does have proximity to the Village Hall and potential parking. No test digging has been undertaken to access the suitability of the soil for burials. Further investigation is required to establish if this site is a real possibility.

No 10 is the only site that is owned by CWPC, has ample space and the soil has been checked as being of sufficient depth to accommodate burials. See appendix 2 and local geology appendix 3 a & b showing Bisworth Clay deposit in top NE corner of Tanfaine.

It is recognised that the future of the Tanfaine field is a contentious issue for some councillors and therefore it is suggested that the village is consulted before any firm plans are made on its use for burials and other potential uses such as allotments, woodland and natural burials.

The appendices below show:

1. The potential site locations listed above

2. The results of test digging of holes at Tanfaine

3. The local geology of Cherry Willingham

4. The slope profiles of Tanfaine compared to the Laburnum Drive Playing Field.