New crematorium to be built in Leeds village
The plans have been given the green light
A new crematorium will serve grieving families after the city’s existing funeral services struggled with demand.
Crematorium firm Westerleigh has been granted planning permission for the facility on land off Wakefield Road in Oulton.
A single-storey crematorium, along with memorial gardens and a natural burial ground, will be created after Leeds City Council gave approval.
A plans panel was told the company and another funeral firm, Horizon, both applied to redevelop nearby sites in the village between Leeds and Wakefield.
Horizon’s application for a crematorium building, access roads and car parking on land south of Methley Lane was refused after plans were presented at Leeds Civic Hall.
The hearing was told an independent assessment found there was a need for a single new crematorium facility for south and east Leeds.
Planning agent Rachael Martin, representing Westerleigh, told councillors: “This application would address that need by delivering a quality, modern and efficient new crematorium, providing added capacity in an accessible location.”
A report to the meeting said natural burials were carried out in meadow or woodland environments without measures to slow down composition.
It said: “Natural burials are a sustainable choice that helps protect natural habitats and encourages biodiversity.
“Natural burial sites require biodegradable coffins and don’t allow the use of embalming.”
The meeting was told Westerleigh intended to share excess heat energy from the crematorium with nearby Oulton Academy.
Horizon had formed a similar partnership with Oulton and Woodlesford Sports Club.
Horizon’s Stephen Byfield raised doubts over Westerleigh’s heat arrangement, along with concerns over road safety and proximity to the school.
He told the meeting: “To my mind, there are fundamental problems with the Westerleigh application.”
The needs assessment found demand was set to exceed capacity at the city’s Rawdon, Cottingley and Lawnswood crematoriums due to a growing population.
Leeds City Council Bereavement Services objected to both planning applications, saying more cremation slots could be provided and reduced fees considered.
But a planning officer’s report said the new Oulton facility would give around 68,000 people access to a crematorium within a 30-minute drive.
It said: “Having reviewed the available evidence, officers conclude that the identified need is for a single additional crematorium in this general location.”