Newts could halt woodland burials plan
A woodland burial site is being planned as an extension to Penwortham Cemetery because of a lack of room to bury the dead. But the £30,000 bid by Penwortham Town Council has been held up once again by the Great Crested Newt. The newt – already the scourge of many new developments in and around Preston – is protected under EU and British law, making it illegal to capture or disturb its habitat.
Lancashire County Coun Howard Gore, who represents Penwortham South, hopes to be buried at the new site, which has received £10,000 in lottery funding.
He said: “I’d like to think that by the time you are dead and buried, newts are the last of your worries. I think the major concern would be worms!
“I have had it written into my will that I have a ‘lot’ ordered at Penwortham Cemetery.
“I’m a big supporter of the new form of burial – I think it’s just more natural.”
Penwortham town manager Steve Caswell said: “We have had to develop a management plan to protect the species.
“We want woodland burials and areas of quiet contemplation. They are becoming more and more popular – it seems people want a more natural burial these days and it’s environmentally friendly.
“Work will take place as soon as we get planning permission.”
Penwortham Mayor, Coun Dorothy Gardner, said: “While Penwortham is getting bigger, the cemetery is getting full.
“If people want to be buried in Penwortham, then we need to expand. Woodland burial is being used be
cause there isn’t enough room to dig the graves we need.”
Woodland burials involve trees being planted instead of headstones where people are buried.
Great Crested Newts are endangered and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and EU law.
Meanwhile, Penwortham Town Council’s cemetery committee is to discuss the future of part-time cemetery contractors Paul and Wayne Fletcher, of Sycamore Drive, Penwortham, who face being replaced by a full-time worker. Around 900 residents have signed a petition asking the council to save them from the axe.