Grave concerns over eco burial plot
Western Telegraph
Grave concerns about plans for a natural burial site have prompted worried locals to campaign against the proposal.
Peter Walker and Julia Horton-Powdrill’s plans for a natural burial site, storage barn and parking area at Castle Hill, Newport, have met with fierce opposition from the community.
Fears about traffic problems and water contamination have led residents to start a petition against the proposal, which would be sited on the slopes of Carn Ingli.
Resident John Davies said: “There is a great deal of emotion about this issue.
“The road to the site is terrible. It is the main route to the mountain for walkers, and there could be a fatality there.”
More than 100 signatures have been collected, and letters of objection have been sent to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The site, which is part of a ten acre field and could hold up to 500 bodies, would be the third privately owned natural burial site in Wales.
The applicants have hit back at claims that the proposal would be detrimental, and say a buffer zone will protect two nearby streams.
Several organisations have visited the site, including the Environment Agency, highways, and archeological organisations, and the applicants are happy to comply with their recommendations.
Mr Walker said the town cemetery and churchyard are close to houses and have restricted parking.
He said: “It will probably just be a handful of people a year. There is no intention for people to drive up here in huge numbers.”
Produce grown above the site will be sold locally, and there are plans to gift the land to the town and wildlife trust in the future.
Julia Horton-Powdrill said: “We want to involve the community.”
Almost 50 locals squeezed into Newport Town Council’s chambers while the planning committee discussed the application on Friday.
The decision to recommend refusal was applauded and cheered by members of the public.
Chairman Peter Harwood said: “We were unconvinced the proposal was acceptable. There is a lack of certainty about access and concern about water courses.”