Knowsley Council is actively looking to increase burial plots after concerns it will reach capacity within two years
Knowsley Cemetery, near Whiston Woods(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Concerns have been raised about the safe accessibility of Whiston Hospital after plans were approved to provide vehicular access to a proposed new cemetery at Whiston Woods.
In November, the Liverpool ECHO reported on the approval of thousands of new burial plots in one part of Merseyside, despite objections from people concerned about the ‘generational harm’ to a much-loved community asset. The proposal related to an area of land at Whiston Woods and the change of use to a cemetery, but some people have complained the development would result in a significant depletion of the green belt.
Knowsley Council previously expressed concerns the borough was running out of burial spaces and first announced plans to buy part of Whiston Woods in 2023. On February 20 this year, it submitted a planning application to St Helens Council which was approved at a planning Committee meeting (November 4).
The agreement means Knowsley Council will pay the borough almost £500,000 in Section 106 payments to mitigate the loss of open spaces arising from the later phases of the development.
The expansion to Knowsley Cemetery will see the provision of 5,447 cemetery plots and will be carried out over a phased programme of delivery, extending over an estimated 100-year-period. St Helens Council said Phase 1 will provide approximately 1,313 burial plots and 998 cremation plots, and would meet demand for the next 30 years. Two further phases would be brought forward beyond 30 years and 55 years respectively, subject to burial and cremation trends.
Under Phase 1, the area will remain open to the public and works will see a network of surfaced pedestrian paths, self-binding gravel routes, bark chip trails, and a composite timber boardwalk, integrated with existing informal paths. The majority of existing woodland will be retained and enhanced by new tree planting, wildflower meadow areas, and the creation of wetland habitats.
At a Knowsley Council planning committee meeting last night (December 11), elected members were asked to approve a proposal to install two vehicular access points from Cumber Lane, to provide vehicular access to the proposed new cemetery at Whiston Woods.
Objections to the latest application were presented by Jackie Fox from the ‘Save Whiston Woods’ campaign group, she said: “God help anybody waiting for an ambulance from Whiston Hospital when this goes through, as most of them use that road to get to other areas of Knowsley.
“This will impact the wider Knowsley community in so many ways, you cannot just wave this through. You need to read the transport statement. It doesn’t take into account the new Halsnead estates or the cumulative impact on the area, and it’s inadequate.”
Ms Fox added: “Finally, as councillors, you should be asking these questions that we’ve put to you in writing. You have a code of conduct and protocols to follow.
“If you fail to fail to inform yourselves fully, then you have failed in your duty, and any decision you’ve made based on that one informed decision will be overturned by the High Court. You will be held accountable for failing in that duty by the High Court, but also by the people you say you represent.”
Responding to the statement and addressing the elected members of the committee, a Knowsley Council planning officer said: “The only things for you to consider is matters relating directly to the access. There is a thorough assessment of that in the report and the additional information.”
Before the conclusion of the meeting, Green Party councillor Kai Taylor said: “I ask how given the cabinet signalled its support for this proposal already, that they can honestly be perceived as impartial on this matter.
“I would therefore like it to be minuted that the opposition formally requests the Cabinet members withdraw from this vote in the interest of fairness and transparency.
“Given the above points I’ve raised, I’d like to move that the application be refused based on highway safety concerns.”
Cllr Taylor’s motion was rejected, and the committee voted to approve the proposal.